The upcoming Beatles biopics, directed by Sir Sam Mendes, are already generating significant buzz in both film and music communities despite being years away from release. The ambitious project will consist of four films, each focused on the life and perspective of one of the Fab Four.
Speculation around the casting took a turn back in November with Hollywood gossip reporter Jeff Sneider hinting that Joseph Quinn, best known for his breakout role as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things, is set to play George Harrison. This week, author Bret Easton Ellis revealed on his podcast that Quinn had exited his directorial debut, Relapse, citing scheduling conflicts with Mendes’ films, all but confirming Quinn’s involvement.
According to @DEADLINE, the actors believed to be playing The Beatles in the upcoming Sam Mendes biopics are:
• Harris Dickinson as John Lennon
• Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney
• Joseph Quinn as George Harrison
• Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr pic.twitter.com/j7UCLVsPQu— The Beatles Earth (@BeatlesEarth) December 13, 2024
If true, Quinn will join a rumoured star-studded lineup. Paul Mescal, fresh off his role in Gladiator 2, is reportedly set to play Paul McCartney, a detail inadvertently let slip by director Ridley Scott during a recent Q&A. Barry Keoghan, who Ringo Starr himself confirmed had started taking drumming lessons, is tipped for the role of Ringo. Meanwhile, Harris Dickinson, who recently starred in Babygirl, has declined to rule himself out of playing John Lennon, calling the opportunity “a pretty formidable force to try to do.”
First announced in February 2024, Mendes and producer Pippa Harris have promised an “epic cinematic experience” with a unique artistic approach. “Four films, told from four different perspectives, which tell a single story about the most celebrated band of all time,” Harris said in a press release. Mendes added: “I’m honoured to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time, and excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies.”
Make up has their work cut out for them! The guy who will play John Lennon is way too tall. The guy playing Ringo hardly has a nose at all. SMH! — N Russo (@njbd23devnanc) December 14, 2024
The films have the blessing of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison. However, fans are divided on the casting rumours, with some scrutinising the actors’ physical resemblances to their real-life counterparts. One X user wrote: “The guy who will play John Lennon is way too tall. The guy playing Ringo hardly has a nose at all.”
How Mendes plans to balance historical accuracy with artistic storytelling remains unclear. Some fans have expressed a desire to see the band’s complex relationships explored, rather than a straightforward retelling of famous moments like their decision to stop touring or the inspiration behind certain lyrics.
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Given the focus on individual perspectives, there is speculation that each film will reflect the unique personality of its central Beatle. This approach, if confirmed, could set the biopics apart from other music biopics like Rocketman or Bohemian Rhapsody. Instead, inspiration may be taken from the more-stylised Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann.
While films like Nowhere Boy have touched on aspects of the Beatles’ story, Mendes’ project marks the first true biopic of the band. It follows a recent resurgence of Beatles content, with Disney+ hosting documentaries like Get Back and Beatles ’64. As of now, there’s no confirmation that the new films will land on a streaming platform.
All four films are expected to release in 2027, leaving fans with plenty of time to debate casting choices, and speculate on storylines and creative approaches. For now, the breadcrumbs of information being dropped by industry insiders have Beatles enthusiasts poring over every detail.
With Joseph Quinn now all but confirmed as the “quiet Beatle,” the Fab Four appear to be set. The spotlight now turns to Mendes, his cast, and his crew to meet the towering expectations of the British public, who recently voted the band “the ultimate British group”, and millions more fans worldwide.
