Back in February 2024,Deadline announcedthatSam Mendes, the filmmaker behindAmerican Beauty, Road to Perdition, 1917, and the James Bond filmsSkyfallandSpectre, would direct four separate but interconnected films about each member of The Beatles. Now, we have some major casting news from one former Beatle; drummer and sometimes actor Ringo Starr, whotold Entertainment TonightthatBarry Keoghanwill play him in Mendes' sprawling project. Speaking of the reported casting, Starr said:
“I think it’s great. I believe he’s somewhere taking drum lessons, and I hope not too many.”
Keoghan may not be the spitting image of Starr, but the two are actually the same height - 5 foot 8 inches. The actor, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, already proved he could pull off a convincing Liverpool accent inSaltburn, so just slap Starr’s iconic mustache and long hair, and we may just have ourselves a pretty convincing onscreen Ringo.
While no official deals are currently in place, other actors are reportedly in talks to star as the other three members of the Fab Four.Deadline reportsthat Paul Mescal is being considered to play Paul McCartney, with Harris Dickinson eyed for John Lennon, and Joseph Quinn for George Harrison. If these casting rumors pan out, Mendes' four films will feature some of the biggest up-and-coming actors working in the business right now.
Other details about the project are unknown at this time. No writers have been announced, and it isn’t clear if the biopics will only cover The Beatles' rise to fame and eventual break up, or if they will dip into the individual members' solo careers as well. Also uncertain is the time period the films will encompass, i.e., the entirety of The Beatles' career (roughly 1964 to 1970) or a specific period (say, their mop-top Beatlemania days, or their long-haired, more experimental iteration).
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The four films will be produced by Mendes' Neal Street Productions alongside Pippa Harris and distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment. This is the first time McCartney, Starr, and the families of Lennon and Harrison have all agreed to full life story and music rights for a scripted film.
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When the project was announced, Harris had this to say:
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.
Be on the lookout for more news surrounding this project once it becomes known.
