There’s been a ton of Beatles movies over the last six decades, both featuring the Fab Four and biopics about their lives. Heck, they’ve even shown up in fantasy comedies like Yesterday and musicals based on their songs like Across the Universe. They even had their own animated films, including Yellow Submarine, produced by George Dunning. But yet, there seems to be something remarkably different about Sam Mendes’ upcoming four Beatles movies.
In a move that’s sure to turn heads, Mendes, the Oscar-winning director of Skyfall and 1917, is set to release four separate Beatles films back-to-back in April 2028. That’s right, not one, not two, but four movies — each focusing on a different member of the legendary band. “We’re not just making one film about the Beatles – we’re making four,” Mendes said. “Perhaps this is a chance to understand them a little more deeply.”
At CinemaCon, Mendes confirmed the much-speculated cast: Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Harris Dickinson as John Lennon. The actors made a surprise appearance, striking the classic Beatles pose, much to the delight of the crowd in Las Vegas. The actors then quoted Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, saying, “It’s wonderful to be here, it’s certainly a thrill, you’re such a lovely audience, we’d like to take you home with us.”
Mendes, who’s been trying to bring the Fab Four’s story to the big screen for years, explained that a single film just wouldn’t be enough. The Beatles’ story is “too big for one film,” and Mendes didn’t want to settle for a TV series either. So, he came up with a bold plan: to tell the band’s journey from Liverpool to global stardom through four standalone films, each capturing one band member’s perspective. It’s genius really.
This ambitious project will be the first to receive full access to the Beatles’ extensive music catalog, including hits like Strawberry Fields Forever, Let It Be, and I Am the Walrus. Mendes promises an immersive experience, allowing fans to get to know each one of them individually.
The Beatles “redefined the culture and stayed with you for a lifetime”, Mendes said, calling the British boy band “the most significant band of all time.”
So, which of the four films will stand out? With all due respect to Lennon and McCartney, I’m putting my money on Ringo’s story. While we know plenty about John, Paul, and George, Ringo’s narrative has remained somewhat of a mystery. He’s the “quiet Beatle,” often overshadowed by the other three, but maybe his story is the one we need to hear the most. Plus, Barry Keoghan is always a must-watch, so there’s that.
Get ready for April 2028 — this is one “bingeable” cinematic event you won’t want to miss. The only problem with this idea is that if one of Sam Mendes’ Beatles biopics fails, will the others crumble too? It’s actually a risky idea. But “with a love like that, you know you should be glad.”
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