Being one of the most (if not the most) influential bands in the world, The Beatles’ life and legacy would unsurprisingly be the perfect subject of many a tribute.
There have been documentaries and movies made over the years, but nothing yet quite as ambitious as the upcoming biopics to be directed by Sam Mendes. The upcoming Beatles films—four of them—will feature and be told from the perspective of each band member.
The actors portraying the Fab Four have recently been revealed: Paul Mescal plays Paul McCartney; Harris Dickinson plays John Lennon; Joseph Quinn plays George Harrison; and Barry Keoghan plays Ringo Starr.
There have been mixed reactions to the casting, with some fans expressing disappointment over the announced leads. However, in an interview with The Mirror, film expert and critic Sean Boelman said he doesn’t see the backlash negatively affecting the films’ box office performance.
“Sam Mendes’s four-part Beatles biopic has already been the subject of backlash due to its casting. Fans have criticized the films for casting popular actors rather than people who they think might be ‘better suited’ for the roles,” he said.
“Don’t forget: plenty of other musical biopic castings have been controversial in the past and went on to have great success and acclaim. For example, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ star Rami Malek was not a popular choice to play Queen icon Freddie Mercury at first, but Malek won an Oscar for the role, and the film was a smash box office hit,” he added.
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The films’ leads were introduced at Sony Pictures’ presentation on the opening night of CinemaCon 2025 last March 31. The four films will be released in April 2028, with the goal of making it the “first bingeable theatrical experience.”
Although numerous movies have already been made about The Beatles and have featured one or two songs, this is the first time the full life story and music rights were granted by the members of the band and their estates for a scripted biopic. Sony Pictures is also working with Apple Corps, the company founded by The Beatles’ four members, effectively giving the four films a seal of approval.
Specific storylines, order of film releases, and other cast members have yet to be revealed.
