{"id":936230,"date":"2026-10-17T08:52:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T08:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/936230\/"},"modified":"2026-10-17T08:52:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T08:52:25","slug":"the-beatles-biopics-cast-director-release-date-and-songs-for-the-four-upcoming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/936230\/","title":{"rendered":"The Beatles biopics: Cast, director, release date and songs for the four upcoming…"},"content":{"rendered":"

16 October 2026, 09:45 | Updated: 16 October 2026, 09:50<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Beatles at the movies.<\/p>\n

Picture:
\nGetty Images
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\n\"Facebook
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Welcome to the launch of the Beatles Cinematic Universe.<\/p>\n

As you’d expect for arguably the biggest (and best?) band in the history of music, The Beatles<\/a> have popped up plenty of times on the big (and small) screen over the years.<\/p>\n

When it comes to documentaries, there was controversial Let It Be and its effective re-imagining with Peter Jackson’s three-part Get Back<\/a>, as well as Ron Howard’s The Beatles: Eight Days a Week \u2013 The Touring Years and the eight-part Anthology series<\/a> in 1995.<\/p>\n

When it comes to dramas, during the band’s own lifetime they played fictional versions of themselves in the classic A Hard Day’s Night <\/a>in 1964, their barmy colour excursion Help! the following year, Magical Mystery Tour and \u2013 with impressionists doing the Fab Four’s voices \u2013\u00a0the animated Yellow Submarine.<\/p>\n

Since then, there have been various portrayals of the Fab Four on screen. The early years and the life and times of Stuart Sutcliffe<\/a> were covered in Backbeat, while John Lennon<\/a>‘s early years were covered in Sam Taylor-Wood’s 2009 film Nowhere Boy.<\/p>\n

And then there was the Beatles film without The Beatles<\/a> \u2013\u00a0Danny Boyle and Richard Curtis’s high-concept Yesterday<\/a>. But with the wave of high-profile feature biopics (Bohemian Rhapsody<\/a>, Rocketman<\/a>, Elvis<\/a>, and the upcoming Michael<\/a>) it feels like a proper Beatles<\/a> biopic was surely inevitable. Well, it turns out we’re actually getting four. Here’s everything you need to know.<\/p>\n

Wait, did you say there would be FOUR Beatles biopics?<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Beatles in 1966.<\/p>\n

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\nGetty Images
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Yep! Too big for just one movie, it’s been decided that there will be four separate Beatles films<\/a>: one for each of the Fab Four of John Lennon<\/a>, Paul McCartney<\/a>, George Harrison<\/a> and Ringo Starr<\/a>.<\/p>\n

All four movies will be shot simultaneously, and will cross over with one another.<\/p>\n

“The four theatrical feature films \u2013 one from each band member\u2019s point-of-view \u2013 will intersect to tell the astonishing story of the greatest band in history,” is how it was explained in the first announcement.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Beatles in 1963.<\/p>\n

Picture:
\nGetty Images
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“The dating cadence of the films, the details of which will be shared closer to release, will be innovative and groundbreaking.”<\/p>\n

Think of it as the launch of the Beatles Cinematic Universe.<\/p>\n

Producer Pippa Harris said: “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.”<\/p>\n

What is the release date of the four Beatles movies?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Beatles \u2013 Anthology ABC TV trailer<\/p>\n

It was initially reported that films were being shot in 2025 with a planned release date of 2027, but it has now been confirmed that the release date for all four films is April 2028.<\/p>\n

Mendes had told Variety<\/a> in October 2024: “I’ve got this huge Beatles project that I\u2019m working on for the next several years.<\/p>\n

“So this is the last time you\u2019ll see me until some time in the middle of 2028.”<\/p>\n

So all four films \u2013\u00a0officially dubbed The Beatles\u2014A Four-Film Cinematic Event \u2013 will be in cinemas at the same time, it seems.<\/p>\n

“You have to match the boldness of the idea with a bold release strategy,” Sony Pictures chief Tom Rothman told The Hollywood Reporter<\/a> soon after the project was announced.<\/p>\n

“There hasn\u2019t been an enterprise like this before, and you can\u2019t think about it in traditional releasing terms.”<\/p>\n

He later described the unconventional release as the first “bingeable moment in cinema”.<\/p>\n

\"Producer<\/p>\n

Producer Pippa Harris.<\/p>\n

Picture:
\nMediaPunch Inc\/Alamy
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Does that mean the release will be simultaneous? It’s still not been confirmed but in October 2026 Pippa Harris suggested at the London Film Festival that the releases may be a week apart from each other but be in the cinemas at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the moment, the films will come out in 2028, and we want people to be able to experience them in the cinema at the same time, during the same period,\u201d Harris was quoted by Deadline<\/a> as saying.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean we\u2019re thinking that people will go and see all four films on the same day.<\/p>\n

“But within the same month, you might see one a week, or you might see one film one weekend and another the next. However you do it, we hope that people will see all four films.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Tomorrow Never Knows (Take 1 – Remastered)<\/p>\n

She added: \u201cThey stand alone as individual stories of each of those four men, but they have a cumulative power, which I think is greater than the sum of the parts.<\/p>\n

“They are the greatest band in history, and we’re trying to do our best to do them justice. So hence the four films. I don\u2019t think there’s probably another band that you could legitimately say you wanted to see four films about.”<\/p>\n

And a few days later, The Hollywood Reporter<\/a> said that a simultaneous release of all four films was very much a possibility \u2013\u00a0and underlined that there was no fixed “order” that people needed to see the film.<\/p>\n

Its sources also teased the idea of four-pack of tickets. What’s clear at this point is that nothing is clear, and everything is still up for grabs.<\/p>\n

Who is directing and writing the four Beatles movies?<\/p>\n

\"Director<\/p>\n

Director Sam Mendes.<\/p>\n

Picture:
\nAlamy
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All four Beatles<\/a> films will be directed by Sam Mendes.<\/p>\n

After making his name in theatre, Mendes won Best Director at the Oscars for his 1999 film debut American Beauty, and he’s only directed eight films since \u2013\u00a0including the back-to-back James Bond double header of Skyfall and Spectre.<\/p>\n

“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,” Mendes said. <\/p>\n

\"Jack<\/p>\n

Jack Thorne.<\/p>\n

Picture:
\nGetty Images
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In May 2025, Sony Pictures announced who would be writing the four movies.<\/p>\n

It’s a serious amount of talent, with the trio having picked up a few Tonys, Oliviers, BAFTAs and an Oscar between them<\/p>\n

The writers are Jez Butterworth (Jerusalem, Edge of Tomorrow), Peter Straughan (Wolf Hall, Conclave) and Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Adolescence) <\/p>\n

Who will play the Fab Four in the four Beatles movies?<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The actual Beatles on the set of A Hard Day’s Night.<\/p>\n

Picture:
\nGetty Images
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Given the promise that the four films will “intersect” and with their planned concurrent shooting, it looks like we’re getting the same John, Paul<\/a>, George<\/a> and Ringos across the four films.<\/p>\n

After many months of mumbles and rumours, the casting of the Fab Four was officially confirmed on March 31, 2025 at CinemaCon 2025. It is: <\/p>\n

Harris Dickinson as John LennonPaul Mescal as Paul McCartneyBarry Keoghan as Ringo StarrJoseph Quinn as George Harrison<\/p>\n

\"Joseph<\/p>\n

Joseph Quinn, Barry Keoghan, Harris Dickinson and Paul Mescal at CinemaCon 2025.<\/p>\n

Picture:
\nGetty Images
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And the Hollywood gossip rags did pretty well. It was as early as June 2024 that The InSneider<\/a> claimed that it had the scoop on who is in the frame for the Fab Four, and correctly picked out the stars for John, Paul and Ringo<\/p>\n

They were wide of the mark for Harrison, suggesting Charlie Rowe had the gig, but by the end of the year, Deadline<\/a> had that one right, too.<\/p>\n

Asked about Saltburn star Barry Keoghan playing him in the film, Ringo Starr told ET<\/a>: “I think it’s great. I believe he’s somewhere taking drum lessons, and I hope not too many.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Barry Keoghan on Playing Ringo Starr, Watching Him Play Drums & Sparring with Chris Hemsworth<\/p>\n

Barry told Jimmy Kimmel Live in May 2025: “I met him at his house, and he played the drums for me. He asked me to play, but I wasn\u2019t playing the drums for Ringo.<\/p>\n

“When I was talking to him, I couldn\u2019t look at him. I was nervous, like right now. But he\u2019s like, ‘You can look at me’.<\/p>\n

“My job is to observe and kinda take in mannerisms and study him. I want to humanize him and bring feelings to it and not just sort of imitate.”<\/p>\n

\"Ridley<\/p>\n

Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal.<\/p>\n

Picture:
\nGetty Images
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On the promotional trail for Gladiator 2, Ridley Scott said that the Paul Mescal casting might prevent their own reunion.<\/p>\n

Asked if Mescal would be appearing in his own The Dog Stars, Scott said: “Yes, Maybe. Paul is actually stacked up, doing The Beatles next. So I may have to let him go.”<\/p>\n

In September 2025, Mescal revealed to IndieWire<\/a> that he’d been hanging out with Sir Paul. “He’s an extraordinary man, like to spend any time \u2013\u00a0 it’s a crazy sentence to say that I’ve spent time with that man, let alone play him.”<\/p>\n

\"Paul<\/p>\n

Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, Barry Keoghan and Harris Dickinson speak onstage.<\/p>\n

Picture:
\nGetty Images
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Speaking before his casting as Lennon was confirmed, Dickinson told Variety: “It would be amazing to do that.<\/p>\n

“I think the idea of Sam teaming up to do something like that would be incredibly exciting.<\/p>\n

“Obviously, John Lennon is a very complex role, a pretty formidable force to try to do. It would be cool.\u201d<\/p>\n

Who else has been cast in The Beatles movies?<\/p>\n

\"Saoirse<\/p>\n

Saoirse Ronan in 2010.<\/p>\n

Picture:
\nAlamy
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

In October 2025, Deadline reported that American-Irish actor Saoirse Ronan had been cast as Linda McCartney<\/a> in the movies. It’s not clear if she’ll be in all four films, but we imagine her biggest role will be in the Paul biopic.<\/p>\n

A day or so later, another Beatle’s partner’s casting was also announced. Variety<\/a> confirmed that 28-year-old Mia McKenna-Bruce would play Ringo’s wife Maureen Starkey in the film.<\/p>\n

It was later rumoured<\/a> that Shogun star Anna Sawai was in the frame to play Yoko Ono<\/a>, while Sex Education and The White Lotus actor Aimee Lou Wood would play Pattie Boyd<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And a few days after those rumours swirled, it was made official by Sony Pictures.<\/p>\n

\"James<\/p>\n

James Norton in Nowhere Special.<\/p>\n

Picture:
\nAlamy
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Later, long-running rumours that House of Guinness star James Norton<\/a> would play The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein<\/a> were confirmed, while Variety<\/a> confirmed that Harry Lloyd would play George Martin.<\/p>\n

And at the start of December 2025, a host more major names were announced.<\/p>\n

David Morrissey will play Paul McCartney’s dad Jim McCartney, Leanne Best (niece of actual Beatle Pete Best), will play John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi, Bobby Schofield will play Neil Aspinall, Daniel Hoffmann-Gill will play Mal Evans, Arthur dArvill will play Derek Taylor and Adam Pally will play Allen Klein.<\/p>\n

And in February 2026, it was announced that Lucy Boynton would play Jane Asher<\/a>, Farhan Akhtar would play Ravi Shankar, Morfydd Clark will play Cynthia Lennon<\/a> and Harry Lawtey will play Stuart Sutcliffe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Will the four Beatles movies actually include The Beatles’ music?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Beatles \u2013 Revolver Special Edition boxset trailer<\/p>\n

The surviving Beatles and their estates are more protective of the back catalogue than probably any other major artist.<\/p>\n

But with this being a fully official project, we can assume that all four films will be packed with The Beatles’ music.<\/p>\n

“The project marks the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles \u2013 Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison \u2013 have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film,” is what we’re told.<\/p>\n

As for whether the cast will lip-sync to those classic original recordings or sing and play themselves, there’s not been an official announcement, but Macca actor Paul Mescal seems to have spilled the beans on that one.<\/p>\n

Asked if he would be singing for real in the film, he told IndieWire in perfect Fab: “Yeah, yeah, absolutely yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

And he later confirmed the same to GQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’ve learned so much,” he said of the experience. “It’s really inspired a love. I’ve always loved music, but getting to play one of the great songwriters and great frontmen has really lit a fire in terms of personally writing music and engaging and hearing music in a different way.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"16 October 2026, 09:45 | Updated: 16 October 2026, 09:50 The Beatles at the movies. Picture: Getty Images…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":936231,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[49,48,75,341],"class_list":["post-936230","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-music","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-entertainment","tag-music"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/936230","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=936230"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/936230\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/936231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=936230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=936230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=936230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}