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Sam Mendes’ Beatles Biopic Project Gains Momentum with Casting News
In February 2024, Deadline revealed that acclaimed director Sam Mendes, known for his work on films like American Beauty, Road to Perdition, 1917, and the James Bond installments Skyfall and Spectre, would helm a series of four films focusing on each member of The Beatles. Recently, drummer and occasional actor Ringo Starr shared exciting casting news, confirming that Barry Keoghan has been tapped to portray him in this ambitious project. In a statement to Entertainment Tonight, Starr expressed his enthusiasm:
“I think it’s great. I believe he’s somewhere taking drum lessons, and I hope not too many.”
While Keoghan may not look exactly like Starr, they share the same height of 5 feet 8 inches. The Dublin-born actor has already demonstrated his ability to master a Liverpool accent in the film Saltburn. With the right iconic mustache and long hair, he could convincingly take on the role of Ringo on-screen.
Though no official contracts have been signed, other casting discussions are reportedly underway for the remaining members of The Fab Four. According to Deadline, Paul Mescal is in consideration for the role of Paul McCartney, while Harris Dickinson might depict John Lennon, and Joseph Quinn is being thought of for George Harrison. Should these casting rumors be confirmed, Mendes’ films will showcase some of the most promising talents in the industry today.
Currently, there is limited information regarding the specific direction of the films. No writers have been named yet, and it remains unclear if the narratives will solely chronicle The Beatles’ meteoric rise and eventual disbandment, or if they will also explore the solo careers of the individual members. Additionally, the timeline of the films is still undetermined—whether they will span the entire Beatles era from 1964 to 1970 or focus on particular phases of their journey, such as their early mop-top days or their later, more experimental period.
A Collaborative Effort Fueled by Passion
The four films are set to be produced by Mendes’ Neal Street Productions in collaboration with Pippa Harris and will be distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Notably, this marks the first instance where McCartney, Starr, and the families of Lennon and Harrison have collectively consented to grant full life story and music rights for a scripted portrayal.
When the project was initially announced, Harris remarked on the collaborative spirit behind it:
“This project springs from an idea of Sam’s… and it’s a testament to his creative brilliance and powers of persuasion that Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sean Lennon and Olivia Harrison responded with such warmth and enthusiasm as soon as he spoke with them… We intend this to be a uniquely thrilling, and epic cinematic experience: four films, told from four different perspectives which tell a single story about the most celebrated band of all time…To have The Beatles’ and Apple Corps’ blessing to do this is an immense privilege. From our first meeting with Tom Rothman and Elizabeth Gabler, it was clear that they shared both our passion and ambition for this project, and we can’t think of a more perfect home than Sony Pictures.”
Fans and film enthusiasts are encouraged to stay tuned for further announcements as details about the project unfold.
Release Date: November 24, 2023
Runtime: 2 hours 7 minutes
Source
movieweb.com