Sony Pictures announced a major shakeup for an incredibly ambitious screen project about the beloved band Beatles. The project will consist of four distinct films, with each film reflecting one of the band members — John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The films will be released in April 2028.
CinemaCon Cast Announcement
At CinemaCon in Las Vegas, director Sam Mendes presented the lead cast to a room of cinema industry professionals. Paul Mescal will portray Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson is John Lennon, Barry Keoghan is Ringo Starr, and Joseph Quinn is George Harrison. The steps of the actors came onstage to bow all at once to the audience, a move reminiscent of The Beatles.
A Novel Cinematic Approach
Mr. Mendes said he was thrilled by the project, explaining that while The Beatles’ story has been told many times before, there was still plenty of unexplored material out there. He called the release strategy a “bingeable theatrical experience,” with the four films coming out in relative proximity to one another. “The project already had every intention of being culturally relevant,” said Tom Rothman, Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Motion Picture Group CEO and Chairman.
About the Actors and Their Previous Work
The chosen entertainers have delivered notable performances across several film projects. Paul Mescal received an Oscar nod for “After sun,” and co-stars in “Gladiator II” and “All of Us Strangers.” Barry Keoghan also was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in “The Banshees of Inisherin.” Harris Dickinson has appeared in “Babygirl,” while Joseph Quinn has appeared in “Gladiator II” and the series “Stranger Things.”
Industry and Market Context
The deal comes as the film industry is searching for ways to entice audiences back to theatres. The need for broad cinematic occasions to attract audiences was underscored by Mr. Mendes. Offerings that can be staggering in numbers, periods and genres, the gamble from Sony Pictures of unveiling four interrelated movies may sound like an audacious way to woo today’s crowds. Then the Quarter led to some big changes to the economy of the cinema and this particular project is our trying to figure out these walls to bring to light that our imagination transfer into the interest of the public.
