In a thrilling revelation for Beatles fans, actors Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan have been officially confirmed to star in four major films centered around the legendary band. The star-studded lineup will explore the lives and contributions of each member of the Fab Four, with Mescal stepping into the role of Sir Paul McCartney and Keoghan portraying drummer Ringo Starr.
Joining Mescal and Keoghan are Harris Dickinson and Joseph Quinn, who will respectively play John Lennon and George Harrison. Dickinson, known for his recent performances alongside Nicole Kidman in Babygirl, has quickly become a rising star, while Quinn is making waves after his role in Marvel's Fantastic Four. This talented ensemble was announced at the CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas, where acclaimed director Sir Sam Mendes shared insights about the ambitious project.
Each of the four films will delve into the individual stories of the Beatles, told from the unique perspective of one band member at a time. Mendes highlighted the intention behind this approach, stating, "They intersect in different ways - sometimes overlapping, sometimes not. They're four very different human beings. Perhaps this is a chance to understand them a little more deeply." The films promise to provide a comprehensive narrative of the greatest band in history.
Scheduled for release in April 2028, the films will arrive in close proximity to one another, offering fans a binge-worthy cinematic experience. Mendes explained his decision to create multiple films rather than a single movie or a TV mini-series, emphasizing the expansive story of the Beatles: "I just felt the story of the band was too huge to fit into a single movie."
Paul Mescal, 29, rose to fame with his role in the BBC series Normal People in 2020. He has since showcased his talent in critically acclaimed films like Aftersun, for which he received an Oscar nomination, and All of Us Strangers. Soon, he will also be seen portraying another British icon, William Shakespeare, in the adaptation of the award-winning novel Hamnet.
Harris Dickinson, 28, known for his roles in Maleficent, The King's Man, and Triangle of Sadness, has been recognized for his talent with a BAFTA TV Award nomination for A Murder at the End of the World. He is also considered a frontrunner for the next James Bond role.
Barry Keoghan, the eldest of the group at 32, bears a striking resemblance to Ringo Starr. The Irish actor gained acclaim for his performance in The Banshees of Inisherin and also starred in the cult hit Saltburn. His ability to embody characters has made him one of Hollywood's hottest stars.
Joseph Quinn, 31, became popular as Eddie Munson in the fourth season of Stranger Things and has also appeared in A Quiet Place: Day One. Before his role as George Harrison, he will be featured as Johnny Storm in the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps and in two upcoming Avengers films.
While several films have previously depicted the Beatles, including Backbeat and Nowhere Boy, this new quadrilogy marks a historic first, as it is the only project to secure full life story and music rights from all four band members and their estates. Mendes described the films as "the first bingeable theatrical experience," emphasizing the need for significant cinematic events to draw audiences back to theaters.
At the announcement event, the cast recited lines from the Beatles’ iconic song Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, delighting the audience with a Beatles-style synchronized bow, showcasing their enthusiasm for this exciting project.
Formed in 1960, the original Beatles band transformed youth culture and left an indelible mark on musical history. Their imaginative and experimental approach enabled them to convey complex musical ideas to a broad audience, producing timeless albums such as Revolver, Sgt Pepper's, and The White Album. Despite their split in 1970, the Fab Four remains the best-selling band of all time. Tragically, only two members are alive today, with John Lennon having been murdered in 1980 and George Harrison passing away from cancer in 2001. In 2023, the remaining members released what has been described as the Beatles' final song, Now And Then, which found success on the charts and garnered nominations at prestigious award ceremonies.
As anticipation builds for this groundbreaking cinematic exploration of the Beatles, fans can look forward to a deeper understanding of each member's extraordinary journey and the impact they have made on music and culture.
