Sony has unveiled the cast for its ambitious Beatles biopic project, with four separate films set to explore the lives of each band member.
Announced at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, the highly anticipated lineup includes Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Harris Dickinson as John Lennon.
Director Sam Mendes, who has been developing the project for years, introduced a video message from the four stars at the event.
See also: Everything we know about The Beatles biopic
The filmmaker said: “The Beatles changed my understanding of music. I’ve been trying to make a movie about them for years.”
He described the films, scheduled for release in April 2028, as the “first binge-able theatrical experience” and revealed that filming will last a year.
This marks the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and the Beatles have granted full rights to their life stories and music for a major film adaptation.
While the band’s rise to fame has been extensively documented, Mendes insisted there is still much to uncover.
“The four films will be released in close proximity,” he confirmed. “Frankly, we need big cinematic events to get people out of the house.”
It was previously revealed that Mendes would produce the films under his Neal Street Productions banner alongside its co-founder Dame Pippa Harris, the former chairwoman of Bafta, and Julie Pastor.
As speculation mounted over the casting of the four actors last year, director Ridley Scott—who worked with both Mescal and Quinn on Gladiator II—appeared to let slip that Mescal would be playing Sir Paul, 82.
Meanwhile, Harris Dickinson avoided confirming his role as John Lennon, telling The Hollywood Reporter in January that the casting “would be splendid” and “a brilliant opportunity.”
Elsewhere, Sir Ringo previously appeared to let slip that Saltburn star Keoghan had taken on the role.
He told Entertainment Tonight: “I believe he’s somewhere taking drum lessons, and I hope not too many.”
There have been previous films about the Beatles, including Nowhere Boy, about Lennon growing up in Liverpool, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
CinemaCon, an annual gathering of movie theater industry professionals, serves as a key platform for studios to showcase upcoming films with exclusive footage, trailers, and star appearances.
Sony also surprised fans by bringing out Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle to unveil the first trailer for 28 Years Later, the highly anticipated sequel to 28 Days Later, set to hit theatres in June.
