Beatlemania isn’t dead! Sam Mendes’ four-part biopic series, The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event, is hitting theaters in 2028. All four films will focus on each of the Fab Four’s members and will premiere at around the same time.
The ambitious project is not only significant for the subject matter, but it’s also the first time The Beatles and Apple Corps Ltd. have authorized the use of The Beatles’ full life stories and music for film.
Here’s everything you need to know about the films, from the cast and plot to where to watch.
Release Date and Where to Watch
The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Experience is set to premiere in 2028 with a global theatrical release. The films are currently in production and no specific release date is set yet.
Story and Setting
The biopics will tell the story of The Beatles from each of member’s points of view, from the band’s formation, to the rise of Beatlemania in the U.S., and to their breakup in 1970. It will take place throughout the course of John, Paul, George, and Ringo’s lives.
Cast and Characters
Harris Dickinson will play John Lennon, Paul Mescal will play Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn will play George Harrison and Barry Keoghan will play Ringo Starr.
The Beatles biopics wouldn’t be complete without important supporting people like their manager, Brian Epstein, and girlfriends/wives. James Norton is playing Brian Epstein, while “The Beatles Girls” will be played by Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey, Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono, and Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd.
Additionally, Harry Lloyd will play Sir George Martin, the band’s longtime producer.
Other people, such as the members of each Beatle’s family, have been cast as well. David Morrissey will play Paul McCartney’s father, Jim McCartney, Leanne Best will play John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi, Bobby Schofield will play their road manager, Neil Aspinall, Daniel Hoffman-Gill will play Mal Evans, Arthur Darvill will play Derek Taylor, and Adam Pally will play music manager Allen Klein.
Actors to play other pivotal people, such as Cynthia Lennon and Ravi Shankar, are yet to be announced.
Creative Team and Production
All four films will be directed by Sam Mendes with scripts written by Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan, and Jack Thorne. Mendes is producing all four films with Pippa Harris, Julie Pastor, Alexandra Derbyshire, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Mendes’ Neal Street Productions.
What to Expect:
According to Deadline, “the overlapping narratives, each from a distinct perspective, promise a rich, multi-faceted look at the band’s journey from Liverpool to global domination and eventual breakup.”
The casting of the Fab Four had mixed reactions. When the news broke, I initially thought that Dickinson and Mescal should switch roles, only because Mescal is very masculine-looking, which is contrary to McCartney’s soft features. Dickinson also has soft features compared to Lennon’s more masculine ones.
After all of their first looks, I’m impressed with how Mescal has transformed into McCartney, as well as Dickinson into Lennon. Keoghan as Starr is a little too on the nose and Quinn could use thicker eyebrows for Harrison.
Looks and physicality are forgivable–what’s most important is that each of their lives is told accurately and the portrayals are true to each Beatle. Contrary to what Mescal has said about going into these films blindly, I encourage you to interact with the fanbase and research the band and their great history. Why not play some Rubber Soul as well?
What are your hopes for The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event? Let us know in the comments below!
Samantha Barker
Samantha Barker is a writer and fangirl from New Jersey. When she's not rewatching Daredevil or listening to the Beatles, she's cosplaying and attending comic-cons with her friends. Sam also co-hosts a podcast called Fangirl Confessions and writes for her Substack, Samantha, etc. Connect with her on X: @0nyourleftsam and IG: @onyourleftsam.