Paul Mescal & Barry Keoghan Just Took Over Abbey Road for the Beatles Biopic
The Beatles Are Getting Four New Movies — All at Once!
TL;DR: Famous director Sam Mendes is making four different movies about The Beatles. Each movie tells the story from one band member’s point of view. They all come out in April 2028 and feature a super-star cast.
What’s the Big News?
Imagine if your favorite band got not one, not two, but four brand-new movies — all releasing at the same time! That’s exactly what’s happening with The Beatles.
Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes (he made Skyfall, 1917, and American Beauty) is directing a massive project called:
“The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event”
Each film focuses on one member of the band, showing their personal journey. Think of it like getting four different puzzle pieces that fit together to make one big picture.
The Four Films = Four Perspectives
Instead of one movie trying to cover everything, each film zooms in on one Beatle:
| Film Focus | Band Member | Played By |
|---|---|---|
| Film 1 | John Lennon | Harris Dickinson (Triangle of Sadness, Babygirl) |
| Film 2 | Paul McCartney | Paul Mescal (Normal People, Gladiator II) |
| Film 3 | George Harrison | Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things, A Quiet Place: Day One) |
| Film 4 | Ringo Starr | Barry Keoghan (Saltburn, The Banshees of Inisherin) |
Why this is cool: You get to see the same events — like writing Hey Jude or playing Shea Stadium — through four different pairs of eyes.
The Supporting Cast Is Packed With Stars
It’s not just the Fab Four — the people around them are played by huge names too:
- Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney (Paul’s wife)
- James Norton as Brian Epstein (their manager)
- Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey (Ringo’s wife)
- Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono (John’s partner)
- Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd (George’s wife)
- Harry Lloyd as George Martin (their producer, “the 5th Beatle”)
- David Morrissey as Jim McCartney (Paul’s dad)
- Leanne Best as Mimi Smith (John’s aunt who raised him)
- Bobby Schofield as Neil Aspinall (roadie & Apple Corps exec)
- Daniel Hoffmann-Gill as Mal Evans (roadie & assistant)
- Arthur Darvill as Derek Taylor (press officer)
- Adam Pally as Allen Klein (controversial later manager)
Fun fact: This is the first time ever that The Beatles and their families have officially approved a theatrical movie about them — including rights to their real music and life stories.
When & How Will We See Them?
Release Date
All four films arrive in April 2028 — distributed by Sony Pictures.
Release Strategy (Still a Mystery!)
At CinemaCon 2025, Mendes called it the “first binge-able theatrical experience.” But we don’t know yet:
- Will all four drop on the same day?
- Or one per week throughout April?
Think of it like a Netflix series — but in movie theaters.
Filming Takes a Whole Year
Sony chief Tom Rothman confirmed: Principal photography (main filming) will last 12 months. That’s a lot of Abbey Road crossings.
The Famous Abbey Road Re-Creation
To announce the project, the four lead actors recreated the iconic Abbey Road album cover — walking across the zebra crossing in London, just like John, Paul, George, and Ringo did in 1969.
That photo is one of the most famous in music history. Now, a new generation gets to walk those stripes.
Why This Matters (Even If You’re Not a Beatles Fan… Yet)
| Reason | Why It’s a Big Deal |
|---|---|
| First authorized film | Real music, real stories, family approval |
| Four perspectives | No single “hero” — each Beatle gets their due |
| Star-studded cast | Some of the best young actors working today |
| Binge-able cinema | A new way to experience movies in theaters |
| Cultural milestone | The Beatles changed music, fashion, culture — this brings it to life |
Summary: Everything You Need to Know
- Sam Mendes is directing four Beatles movies.
- Each film = one band member’s POV (John, Paul, George, Ringo).
- Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, Barry Keoghan star as the Fab Four.
- Huge supporting cast includes Saoirse Ronan, James Norton, Anna Sawai, and more.
- First-ever fully authorized Beatles biopic — with real music.
- All four release in April 2028 (maybe all at once, maybe weekly).
- Filming takes a full year — started with an Abbey Road re-creation.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions, Answered
Q: Do I need to know The Beatles to enjoy these movies?
A: Not at all! The films are designed to work as great stories first — about friendship, creativity, fame, and growing up. The music is a bonus.
Q: Will they use the real Beatles songs?
A: YES. This is the first time the estates have licensed the actual recordings for a theatrical film. You’ll hear Let It Be, Come Together, Yesterday — the real deal.
Q: Are these documentaries?
A: No! They’re scripted dramas (like Bohemian Rhapsody or Elvis), acted by real actors — not the real Beatles.
Q: Will they show the band breaking up?
A: Almost certainly. Since each film covers a full life arc, the 1970 breakup will likely appear — but from four different emotional angles.
Q: Can I watch them at home?
A: At first, only in theaters. Sony wants this to be a shared cinema event. Streaming comes later.
Final Thought:
“Each man has his own story, but together they are legendary.”
That’s the official tagline — and after reading this, you’re officially ready for the most ambitious music movie event ever made.
Mark your calendar: April 2028. Four films. One legendary band.