In a groundbreaking announcement by Deadline, renowned screenwriters Jez Butterworth (Ford v Ferrari), Peter Straughan (Conclave), and Jack Thorne (Adolescence) have been chosen to craft the scripts for The Beatles — A Four Film Cinematic Event, under the direction of acclaimed filmmaker Sam Mendes. It is yet to be determined if each writer will handle a distinct film or if they will collaborate on the storytelling across all four parts of this ambitious project.
Sam Mendes, through his esteemed production company Neal Street Productions, has joined forces with Sony Pictures Entertainment for this cinematic endeavor. This marks a historic moment, as Apple Corps Ltd. and the surviving members of The Beatles—Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, along with the families of John Lennon and George Harrison—have granted full rights to their life stories and music for a scripted film series. Mendes will helm all four movies, with each installment dedicated to the individual journeys of a different band member, allowing for an in-depth exploration of their lives and contributions to music history.
The highly anticipated quartet of films will feature a talented cast, including Harris Dickinson (Babygirl) portraying John Lennon, Barry Keoghan (Saltburn) as Ringo Starr, Paul Mescal (Gladiator II) in the role of Paul McCartney, and Joseph Quinn (The Fantastic Four: First Steps) stepping into the shoes of George Harrison. This ensemble promises to bring the iconic characters of The Beatles to life, showcasing their unique personalities and artistic legacies.
In discussing the project, Pippa Harris, a partner at Neal Street Productions, remarked, “This project springs from an idea of Sam’s which he had over a year ago. It’s a testament to his creative brilliance and powers of persuasion that Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sean Lennon, and Olivia Harrison responded with such warmth and enthusiasm as soon as he spoke with them. To have The Beatles’ and Apple Corps’ blessing to do this is an immense privilege. From our first meeting with Tom Rothman and Elizabeth Gabler, it was clear that they shared both our passion and ambition for this project, and we can’t think of a more perfect home than Sony Pictures.
The highly anticipated cinematic series, The Beatles — A Four Film Cinematic Event, is set to premiere in April 2028, promising fans an unforgettable journey into the lives and music of the world’s most iconic band.
