Sam Mendes’ four-part Beatles biopic confirms cast, April 2028 release

The story of The Beatles is heading to the big screen in a never-before-seen way — as four separate theatrical films, each told from the perspective of one member of the iconic band. The ambitious project, directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes and produced by Neal Street Productions, marks the first time that Apple Corps Ltd and the surviving Beatles — Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr — along with the families of John Lennon and George Harrison, have granted full life-story and music rights for a scripted feature.

The lineup for Mendes' The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event brings together some of Hollywood's most in-demand young actors. Paul Mescal (Aftersun, Gladiator II) will portray Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson (Triangle of Sadness) will play John Lennon, Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things, Gladiator II) takes on George Harrison, Barry Keoghan (Saltburn, The Banshees of Inisherin) stars as Ringo Starr.

Additional casting includes James Norton as the band's legendary manager Brian Epstein, Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, and Mia McKenna Bruce as Maureen Starkey, Ringo Starr's first wife. Actress Anna Sawai, previously rumoured to play Yoko Ono, recently clarified at the 2025 SAG Awards that the talk was "just a rumour."

All four interconnected films are slated to release in April 2028, as revealed at CinemaCon 2025. Each movie will explore The Beatles' journey from the unique perspective of one band member, with the stories ultimately converging.

The films' screenplays are being written by Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan, and Jack Thorne. Mendes, known for 1917 and American Beauty, will direct all four installments.

Both McCartney and Starr have been consulted throughout the creative process. Starr even revealed that actor Barry Keoghan met him in person — and was asked to play drums in front of the Beatles legend. "He played for me," Starr said with a laugh, adding that he offered some notes on the script for his individual film, particularly on its depiction of his relationship with Maureen.

Read more

‘Only Murders in the Building’ renewed for Season 6 with a London twist

The four-part project, described as a "cinematic mosaic" of the band's story, aims to redefine the modern biopic — celebrating not just The Beatles' music, but their individual identities and intertwined legacies.