Actors reported to play all four Beatles in biopics as Ringo Starr confirms first casting
When it comes to The Beatles, the four man band are all so iconic in their own right, it would feel weird having simply one film to cover all their lives.
Thankfully, Skyfall and 1917 director Sam Mendes isn’t making one film about The Beatles, he is making four, with one covering the lives of each of the legendary group.
The four films are all set to hit screens in the same year, with Sony Pictures set to release the movies in 2027.
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As with such recent and famed figures as Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, focus has already turned to which actors will receive the nods to play them.
With Sam Mendes on board, a biopic (which is always more popular with voters), and such a unique release strategy, the four men are surely some of the frontrunners for Oscar nominations assuming they stick the landing.
While only one has been confirmed thus far via the loose-lipped Ringo Starr, the other three have been reported by Hollywood insider Jeff Sneider, aka ‘TheInsneider’.
Here’s who he says is going to be playing the four-man-band, including the actor playing Ringo Starr, which was confirmed just today.
Ringo Starr – Barry Keoghan
Jeff Sneider reported in the summer that Saltburn star Barry Keoghan was set to play the band’s drummer, and just today it was inadvertently confirmed by Ringo Starr.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Starr was asked about Keoghan playing him in the upcoming biopic.
Rather than correct them, the drummer replied saying: “Well, I think it’s great. I believe he’s somewhere taking drum lessons, and I hope not too many”.
In taking the role, Keoghan will be continuing his absolutely meteoric rise.
Though he has been a working actor for almost 15 years now, his role in Saltburn last year was just his first time as a star.
Add to that turns in The Batman, Banshees Of Inisherin, Chernobyl and The Green Knight, it appears he is allergic to appearing in anything that isn’t a 10/10 film or show, a great sign for the Ringo biopic.
Paul McCartney – Paul Mescal
The other living Beatle, McCartney is set to be played by Paul Mescal according to Sneider.
Though it is yet to be officially confirmed, if they’re after the best young British and Irish actors around, it makes sense that Mescal is top of their list of choices.
The actor may have been a secret love for many in the wake of Normal People, but with All of Us Strangers and more recently Gladiator 2, Mescal is becoming one of the premiere Hollywood names.
I personally still haven’t forgiven Mescal for his absolutely heartbreaking turn as father Calum in Aftersun which brought me to tears.
That said, the Oscar nomination he received for this, and one he is purported to be in the mix for this year for Gladiator 2, mean that he fits their assumedly Oscar focused approach with the actors they are casting.
John Lennon – Harris Dickinson
For those in the know, Harris Dickinson being courted for some of the biggest roles in Hollywood should be no surprise.
Whether it be in Triangle of Sadness, his scene-stealing emotional performance in The Iron Claw, or his upcoming role in Babygirl, Dickinson is quietly becoming a tour-de-force.
The film starring Lennon will undoubtedly be one of the most hotly anticipated of the four, with the elements of Yoko Ono and his ultimate assassination sure to be a major factor in all four films.
Add to this his partnership and ultimate feud with Paul McCartney, and the film is sure to be perhaps the most exciting of the lot.
George Harrison – Charlie Rowe or Joseph Quinn
This is where the reports get complicated.
In an initial report from this summer Sneider revealed that Keoghan, Dickinson, Mescal and Charlie Rowe were set to play the four-man-band.
While his report of Keoghan has been proven true, the Hollywood insider has since changed his tune with regards to the late lead guitarist George Harrison.
Last month, an exclusive report from The Sun claimed that Joseph Quinn was set for the role as Harrison.
While Charlie Rowe has biopic experience from his role as Ray Williams in Rocketman, Quinn is inarguably the bigger name.
Following his breakout role in Stranger Things Quinn has been an absolute workhorse, starring in Gladiator 2 alongside Mescal, the Quiet Place prequel, and was cast as Johnny Storm in Marvels new crack at The Fantastic Four.
Whichever of the pair is picked, the four films are sure to be massive upon release.
It has not yet been confirmed whether all four films will release on the same day in 2027, or with a staggered release pattern, but Sony have said it will have an ‘innovative release cadence’.
The film marks the first official time The Beatles have permitted the rights to tell their life story.
Sam Mendes said he was ‘honoured to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time’, adding that he felt ‘excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies’.
Topics: Barry Keoghan, TV and Film, Film, Music
Michael Slavin