The Beatles are heading to the big screen, with four biopics set to be released in 2027.
Directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes (American beauty, Skyfall), the films will tell the story of one of music’s most iconic bands, each told from the perspective of a different member: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison. Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is backing the project, said the release strategy will be “innovative and groundbreaking.”
The studio is keeping official casting details under wraps, but rumors are swirling that Paul Mescal could fill McCartney’s shoes. Director Ridley Scott fueled these rumors at a Directors Guild of America event on Tuesday, revealing to fellow director Christopher Nolan that Mescal is “next for The Beatles.”
Mescal isn’t the only potential Beatle in the mix. Last month, Starr himself responded to rumors about this Salt burn star Barry Keoghan is gearing up to play him, telling Entertainment Tonight that Keoghan would be “great” in the role, adding, “I think he’s taking drum lessons somewhere, and I hope not too much.”
While anticipation for the films continues to rise, there is still plenty to speculate about. Here’s everything we know (and don’t know) about the Beatles biopics.
When are the movies coming out?
The four films will be released in theaters sometime in 2027. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the production team plans to start shooting the films in Britain in mid-2025 for a planned 2027 release.
While no screenwriters have been announced, it is reported that Sony Pictures expects to shoot all four films simultaneously, although they won’t have an idea of their total budget until the scripts are written.
Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison. (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)
Four films, four perspectives, one gigantic rollout
Each film delves into the life of one Beatles member, interweaving his personal journey to the band’s rise and eventual breakup in 1970. It is believed that each plot will cover the story of each band member, from childhood to the end of their lives , or to this day. in the cases of McCartney and Starr.
In a press release, Mendes called it an “epic cinematic experience” designed to challenge traditional moviegoing, and said he is “excited to challenge the idea of what a trip to the movies entails.”
According to Sony Pictures chief Tom Rothman, the films will have an equally innovative release strategy to match the boldness of the idea (perhaps all four will be released on the same day).
“There’s never been an undertaking like this, and you can’t think about it in traditional terms,” Rothman told the Hollywood Reporter.
Who will play the Beatles?
Neither Mendes nor Sony have confirmed the cast, but that hasn’t stopped the speculation. While Mescal and Keoghan are rumored to play McCartney and Starr respectively, Baby girl There is speculation that star Harris Dickinson and Charlie Rowe will take on Lennon and Harrison respectively.
Rumor has it that Paul Mescal will play Paul McCartney in a series of Beatles biopics. (Evan Agostini/Invisie/AP)
Rowe has yet to comment on the matter, but Dickinson gave a cryptic response to Dazed, saying: ‘I can’t comment on that; It may not be true, but maybe it is.”
Other names thrown into the mix include Daniel Radcliffe for Starr and Aaron Taylor-Johnson or Paul Dano as Lennon. Timothée Chalamet, Jacob Elordi and even George’s son, Dhani Harrison, would also play Harrison. As for McCartney, actors Elordi, Jamie Bell and Tom Holland have been mentioned in recent days.
Barry Keoghan is one of the names rumored to be playing Beatles drummer Ringo Starr in the upcoming films. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Beatles gave their full support
The Beatles have been featured in numerous documentaries and films A hard day night (1964) and Staff! (1965) after Peter Jackson’s The Beatles: Go Back (2021). However, this is reportedly the first time that McCartney, Starr and the families of Lennon and Harrison have fully supported a project, with both the life story and music rights granted.
This is what we don’t know
Several important details remain secret. The full cast has yet to be officially confirmed and we still don’t know who will write the screenplays. Whether it will be one writer or four separate writers for each film is still unclear.
It’s also a mystery which Beatles songs will make the cut and whether the actors will sing them or lip-synch the original recordings. Now that he has access to the band’s entire catalog, Mendes faces some tough choices.
As for release, Sony Pictures has only confirmed a 2027 debut, with production starting in July 2025 in the UK. For now, fans will have to stay tuned for more updates.
