James Norton is poised to play Brian Epstein, The Beatles’ long-time manager, in Sam Mendes’ four-film event about the British rock band, The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event.
The actor will join Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, George Quinn and Harris Dickinson, as they portray bandmembers Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon, according to Deadline.
This is the first time that The Beatles and Apple Corps Ltd. have allowed the band members’ life stories and music to be used in scripted films. While details are limited right now, Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan and Jack Thorne are expected to pen the scripts.
What to Read Next
As for Norton, while it’s unknown how often the actor will pop up on screen, he’ll likely feature in all four films, which are slated for release in April 2028.
“Each man has his own story, but together they are legendary,” teases the logline.
Marc Piasecki//Getty Images
Related: Best film and TV tours for 2025
Speaking about the project at CinemaCon, Mendes said (via Variety): “We’re not just making one film about the Beatles — we’re making four. Perhaps this is a chance to understand them a little more deeply.”
Who was Brian Epstein?
Brian Epstein was a legendary music entrepreneur from Liverpool who discovered The Beatles in 1961. After listening to the band perform during a lunchtime session at the Cavern Club, Epstein, who had no experience in the industry, arranged a meeting with the quartet (which included Pete Best, who was later replaced by Ringo Starr) and convinced them he was the right person to manage them.
After suggesting they clean up their image to reach a wider audience, Epstein secured McCartney, Harrison, Lennon and Best gigs while attempting to secure them a record deal. By May 1962, The Beatles signed with EMI’s Parlophone label, and when they decided to replace Best with Starr, Epstein trusted in their choice.
John Russo//Sony Pictures
During his six years with The Beatles, Epstein became incredibly close with the band. During Lennon’s wedding in 1862 with his first wife Cynthia Powell, he served as the singer’s best man. When their son, Julian Lennon, was born a year later, Lennon asked Epstein to be his godfather.
As the band shot to stardom in the ’60s with the release of various albums, including Please Please Me (1963), With the Beatles (1963), A Hard Day’s Night (1964), Beatles for Sale (1964), Help! (1965), Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966) and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), Epstein’s personal life had been difficult.
C. Maher//Getty Images
Epstein, who was gay, had been forced to hide his sexuality, though his inner circle was well aware, and The Beatles helped protect his privacy. According to The Liverpool Beatles Museum, “the burden of living in the closet took its toll on Epstein’s mental health, contributing to his struggles with depression and addiction”.
By 1967, however, the manager was frequenting a private clinic in London, the Priory, for drug dependency.
On 27 August 1967, Epstein died at the age of 32 from an accidental overdose. “It was shattering, sad, and a little frightening. We loved him,” McCartney said in “Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now.”
For more on drug addiction and dependency, including information and support, please visit FRANK or Action on Addiction.
Megan is a freelance news reporter for Digital Spy.