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Sam Mendes Announces Beatles Biopic Cast and Release Date
During Sony’s CinemaCon event on March 31 in Las Vegas, Sam Mendes shared exciting news about his upcoming Beatles biopics. The project consists of four films, each focusing on a different member of the iconic band, set to be released in April 2028. The cast includes Harris Dickinson portraying John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan in the role of Ringo Starr.
This marks a significant moment in the portrayal of the Beatles on screen, following Peter Jackson’s 2021 documentary The Beatles: Get Back. Mendes’ series will be the first scripted films of this nature, utilizing the band’s music and life rights. Each actor has garnered attention in recent years, with Keoghan recently appearing in Fontaines D.C.’s music video for “Bug,” while Mescal featured in a video with his former partner, Phoebe Bridgers. Joseph Quinn gained fame through his role as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things, which included an impressive jam session with Metallica.
As preparations for production begin, it remains unclear whether Paul Mescal will consult McCartney prior to filming. Mescal has already delivered standout performances in films such as Aftersun, All of Us Strangers, and The Lost Daughter. Meanwhile, Barry Keoghan, known for his complex roles in films like Saltburn, The Batman, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and Banshees of Inisherin, may consider reaching out to Starr for insights to refine his portrayal. Harris Dickinson’s prior work in Babygirl, The Iron Claw, and Triangle of Sadness provides a solid foundation for his interpretation of John Lennon.
The Beatles were no strangers to the film industry themselves, having released several theatrical films during their peak, including A Hard Day’s Night, Help!, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine, and Let It Be. Notably, they recently received the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance at the 2025 ceremony for “Now and Then,” a digitally restored demo from John Lennon that was originally recorded in the 1970s.
For fans eager to dive deeper into the Beatles’ history, a new Sunday Review features an exploration of their bootleg album Live! at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany; 1962.
The Beatles: Get Back Rewrites the Fab Four’s Ending
Source
pitchfork.com