Nearly two years after acclaimed director Sam Mendes first unveiled his ambitious plan to create four interconnected Beatles biopics, the project is finally taking shape in a way fans can see.
Each film will focus on one member of the legendary band, telling the Beatles’ story from four different perspectives.
And now, thanks to a creative marketing stunt and a recent red carpet appearance, we’re getting our first real glimpses of the actors transformed into the Fab Four.
The casting choices have sparked intense debate, but these early reveals suggest Mendes knows exactly what he’s doing.
The Cast That Shocked (and Excited) Beatles Fans
When the cast was officially confirmed in April last year, it sent shockwaves through entertainment circles.
Harris Dickinson will portray John Lennon, bringing his brooding intensity to the band’s philosophical provocateur. Paul Mescal takes on Paul McCartney, arguably the most challenging role given McCartney’s living legacy and continued cultural presence.
Barry Keoghan will embody Ringo Starr’s understated charm, while Joseph Quinn (best known for his breakout role in Stranger Things) steps into George Harrison’s shoes as the “quiet Beatle.”
Each actor brings something unique to their role. Mescal’s recent Oscar nomination proves his dramatic range, while Keoghan has demonstrated remarkable versatility across projects like The Banshees of Inisherin and Saltburn.
A Clever Liverpool Easter Egg Hunt
Sony Pictures UK chose a location dripping with Beatles history for their first official reveal: the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.
This institution holds special significance as it was co-founded by Paul McCartney himself, making it the perfect venue for this marketing moment.
Students discovered postcards hidden around campus featuring the four actors in character as the legendary band members. The scavenger hunt format created buzz organically, letting fans share their discoveries across social media platforms.
It’s a marketing approach that feels appropriately playful for a Beatles project—reminiscent of the band’s own creative promotional tactics during their groundbreaking career.
Why This Location Matters
McCartney’s connection to LIPA runs deep. He opened the school in 1996, converting his old Liverpool Institute High School into a performing arts college.
By choosing this location for the first reveal, the production signals its commitment to honoring Beatles history authentically. It’s not just about recreating iconic looks—it’s about respecting the cultural landscape that shaped these four musicians.
Barry Keoghan Debuts His Ringo Transformation
While students in Liverpool hunted for postcards, Barry Keoghan provided an even more direct preview at yesterday’s Crime 101 UK gala screening.
The Irish actor appeared sporting his new look as Ringo Starr, giving fans their first real-world glimpse of the physical transformation these actors are undergoing.
Keoghan’s appearance generated immediate social media reaction. His haircut and styling evoke Starr’s distinctive 1960s appearance without veering into caricature—a delicate balance these portrayals must strike.
Starr himself remains active and beloved at 84 years old, making this portrayal particularly sensitive. Keoghan must capture Ringo’s warmth, humor, and understated musical contributions without reducing him to a mere impression.
Four Films, Four Perspectives: Mendes’ Ambitious Vision
What makes this project truly unprecedented isn’t just the subject matter—it’s the structure.
Sam Mendes plans to release four interconnected films, each centered on one Beatle’s perspective of the same shared history. Imagine Rashomon meets A Hard Day’s Night.
This approach acknowledges a fundamental truth about the Beatles: their story has always been contested, remembered differently by each member. John’s cynical wit colored his recollections differently than Paul’s optimistic narrative or George’s spiritual interpretation.
The Logistical Challenge
Filming four feature-length films with overlapping scenes, locations, and supporting characters presents staggering production challenges.
Mendes will need to maintain continuity across all four narratives while allowing each film its own distinct tone and focus. It’s a directorial high-wire act that could either revolutionize music biopics or collapse under its own ambition.
Sony’s commitment to the project suggests they believe in Mendes’ vision. His track record with films like 1917 and American Beauty demonstrates his ability to handle complex, ambitious projects.
What We’re Still Waiting to See
These early reveals are tantalizing, but they leave major questions unanswered.
We haven’t seen Dickinson as Lennon yet, arguably the most scrutinized casting choice given John’s iconic status. Paul Mescal’s McCartney transformation remains under wraps, as does Joseph Quinn’s George Harrison.
More importantly, we don’t know the release strategy. Will all four films arrive simultaneously? Sequentially? How will Mendes handle the chronology across intersecting narratives?
Production timelines remain unclear, though these promotional activities suggest filming is well underway or approaching completion.
Why This Project Could Change Music Biopics Forever
Traditional music biopics follow a predictable formula: rise, excess, fall, redemption. They compress decades into two hours, smoothing rough edges and simplifying complex relationships.
Mendes’ four-film approach rejects that formula entirely. By dedicating separate films to each Beatle, he can explore contradictions, competing memories, and the subjective nature of shared history.
This structure also respects what made the Beatles extraordinary: four distinct artistic voices that somehow harmonized into something greater than their parts.
If successful, this could establish a new template for telling the stories of complex collaborative artists—from Fleetwood Mac to N.W.A., whose multiple perspectives deserve more than a single narrative can provide.
The postcards hidden around LIPA and Keoghan’s gala appearance are just the beginning. As more images emerge and release details solidify, anticipation will only intensify for what may become the most ambitious music biopic project ever attempted.