The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event

The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event
Created by
Original workThe Beatles: The Biography
by Bob Spitz
Owners
Years2028
Films and television
Film(s)
Miscellaneous
Characters
Official website

The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event[1] is a series of four upcoming films, each directed by Sam Mendes, and produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Neal Street Productions, and Apple Corps, based on the lives and career of the Beatles. All four films are to be released at once on 7 April 2028. They are set to be told from the perspective of each band member: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.[1][2][3]

Cast

Production

Development

By late 2023, director Sam Mendes began discussing plans to make films regarding the English rock band, the Beatles, with Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). He had met with SPE's Tom Rothman and Elizabeth Gabler, and stated that he had chosen SPE due to "Tom and Elizabeth’s passion for the idea and commitment to propelling these films theatrically in an innovative and exciting way." Mendes had conceived of the idea in 2022 and convinced the estates of each of the band members. By February 2024, SPE and Mendes' production company Neal Street Productions finished a deal to produce four distinct films, or one for each band member: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.[4] Mendes was set to direct each film alongside Neal Street Productions partner Pippa Harris and Julie Pastor, while Jeff Jones will executive produce for Apple Corps Limited.[5] The estates and families of each band member also granted full life story and musical rights for the films, while Mendes was granted creative freedom.[4][6]

Bob Spitz, who wrote The Beatles: The Biography (2005), was collaborating with the filmmaker, and expected his book and interviews to help influence the script.[7] On 31 March 2025, at an industry convention CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Rothman described the quadruple premiere as "the first bingeable theatrical experience."[2] The official tagline for the films is: “Each man has his own story, but together they are legendary.”[1] On May 7, 2025, it was announced that Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan and Jack Thorne would co-write the screenplays for all four movies.[8]

Casting

Main cast of the series
Harris Dickinson (Lennon)
Paul Mescal (McCartney)
Joseph Quinn (Harrison)
Barry Keoghan (Starr)
Anna Sawai (Yoko Ono)
Saoirse Ronan (Linda McCartney)
Aimee Lou Wood (Pattie Boyd)
Mia McKenna-Bruce (Maureen Starkey)
The actors playing the title roles, along with their respective partners

In June 2024, Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, and Charlie Rowe were in contention to play the members.[9] Keoghan as Starr was confirmed in November 2024.[10] Mescal was confirmed as McCartney in December with Joseph Quinn cast as Harrison.[11][12] Anna Sawai was rumored to have been cast as Yoko Ono, but Sawai would dispute this in February 2025.[13] At CinemaCon in March 2025, Dickinson as Lennon and Quinn as Harrison were confirmed, with the pair appearing on stage alongside Sam Mendes, Mescal as Paul McCartney, and Keoghan as Ringo Starr.[14]

In October 2025, it was announced that Saoirse Ronan would play Linda McCartney,[15] while Mia McKenna-Bruce was cast as Maureen Starkey.[16] Sawai would additionally be officially confirmed as being in discussions the role of Ono, with Aimee Lou Wood in negotiations to portray Pattie Boyd.[17] Meanwhile, James Norton was cast as Brian Epstein.[18] The castings of McKenna-Bruce, Ronan, Sawai and Wood would be officially confirmed at the end of October.[19] In November 2025, Harry Lloyd joined the cast.[20] In December, David Morrissey, Leanne Best, Bobby Schofield, Daniel Hoffman-Gill, Arthur Darvill and Adam Pally were added to the cast.[21]

Filming

Production was set to begin by mid-2025, with the intention of shooting all the films back-to-back. Greig Fraser was hired as cinematographer. In March 2025, Mendes said that it would take him more than a year to shoot all four movies.[1]

Filming had begun by November 2025. It was reported that filming was banned from occurring at the Abbey Road location over concerns regarding closing the road.[22]

Release

The films, Untitled Paul McCartney film, Untitled John Lennon film, Untitled George Harrison film, and Untitled Ringo Starr film, were first expected to be released in 2027,[23] and later they were confirmed to be scheduled for concurrent release on 7 April 2028.[24]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Tartaglione, Anthony D'Alessandro,Nancy (2025-04-01). "'The Beatles' Movies: All Four Of 'Em Are Coming Out In April 2028, Sam Mendes Confirms Cast – CinemaCon". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-04-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b Richwine, Lisa (2025-04-01). "Sony reveals cast for four 'bingeable' movies about The Beatles". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
  3. ^ Wolfe, Jonathan (2025-04-01). "Beatles Movies Cast Revealed, Including Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
  4. ^ a b Fleming Jr, Mike (February 20, 2024). "Sam Mendes, Sony & Apple Corps Set Four Beatles Theatrical Movies On Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison & Ringo Starr". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  5. ^ Shoard, Catherine (20 February 2024). "'Nothing off limits': Sam Mendes to direct four Beatles films – one about each member". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Sam Mendes / Neal Street Productions To Make Landmark Beatles Biopic Project For Sony Pictures Entertainment". The Beatles. February 20, 2024. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  7. ^ Gajewski, Ryan (February 28, 2024). "Behind Sony's Four-Movie Beatles Bet". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  8. ^ Kroll, Justin (May 7, 2025). "Jez Butterworth, Jack Thorne And Peter Straughan To Pen 'The Beatles-A Four Film Cinematic Event' For Sam Mendes And Sony".
  9. ^ Sneider, Jeff (June 5, 2024). "HOT RUMOR: Has Sam Mendes Found the Stars of His Four Movies About The Beatles". The InSneider. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  10. ^ Shreur, Brandon (November 27, 2024). "Ringo Starr Seemingly Confirms Who Is Playing Him in Sam Mendes' Beatles Movies". ComingSoon. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  11. ^ Paul Mescal Set to Star in Sony’s Beatles Movies, Says Ridley Scott
  12. ^ ‘Gladiator II’s Joseph Quinn Tuning Up For George Harrison In Sam Mendes Beatles Films: The Dish
  13. ^ Grobar, Matt (February 23, 2025). "'Shōgun's Anna Sawai Pours Cold Water On Rumored Casting As Yoko Ono In Sam Mendes' Beatles Movies – SAG Awards Backstage". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  14. ^ Cain, Sian (1 April 2025). "The Beatles: actors playing the Fab Four in Sam Mendes' biopics announced". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  15. ^ Grobar, Matt (October 8, 2025). "Saoirse Ronan To Play Linda McCartney In 'The Beatles — A Four-Film Cinematic Event' – The Dish".
  16. ^ Ritman, Alex (October 9, 2025). "Mia McKenna-Bruce to Play Ringo's First Wife Maureen Starkey in Sam Mendes' Beatles Movies". Variety. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  17. ^ Rubin, Rebecca; Vary, Adam B. (October 10, 2025). "'Beatles' Biopic: Anna Sawai, Aimee Lou Wood Circling Yoko Ono, Pattie Boyd Roles". Variety. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  18. ^ Kroll, Justin (October 14, 2025). "James Norton Eyed For Beatles Manager Brian Epstein In 'The Beatles — A Four-Film Cinematic Event'".
  19. ^ Grobar, Matt (October 31, 2025). "Mia McKenna-Bruce, Saoirse Ronan, Anna Sawai & Aimee Lou Wood Confirmed For 'The Beatles — A Four-Film Cinematic Event'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
  20. ^ The Beatles’ Movies Cast ‘Game of Thrones’ Star Harry Lloyd as Producer George Martin (EXCLUSIVE)
  21. ^ Grobar, Matt (December 4, 2025). "Sam Mendes' 'The Beatles — A Four-Film Cinematic Event' Adds Eight To Cast".
  22. ^ Taysom, Joe (November 15, 2025). "Council bans The Beatles films from shooting at Abbey Road crossing". Far Out Magazine. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  23. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (February 20, 2024). "Sam Mendes to Direct Four Separate Beatles Movies on Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr". Variety. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  24. ^ "All Future Releases - Film Distributors' Association". Film Distributors Association. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
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