Are These Our 4 Beatles Movie Stars? See the Rumored Biopic Cast Side-by-Side with the Real People They May Play
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da! The Beatles are heading to the big screen.
In early 2024, it was confirmed that director Sam Mendes and Sony Pictures would helm four separate biopics of legendary rock band The Beatles, giving each of its members their own turn in the spotlight. Although few details have been announced and no release date has been confirmed, the four-part project is expected to premiere in 2027.
The cast has not been officially confirmed yet, but there have been rumors and hints suggesting that Paul Mescal will portray Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson will play John Lennon and Barry Keoghan will take on the role of Ringo Starr. Meanwhile, Joseph Quinn and Charlie Rowe have reportedly both been in talks for George Harrison.
Director Ridley Scott accidentally spilled the rumored news about Mescal during a December 2024 conversation with director Christopher Nolan after a Gladiator II screening. Nolan had asked Scott if Mescal would be starring in his next feature film, The Dog Stars, to which Scott replied that although that was once the plan, Mescal might be busy working on another project.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Scott told Nolan, “Maybe. Paul is actually stacked up, doing the Beatles next. So I may have to let him go.”
So while details are being finalized, here’s a side-by-side look at the rumored cast of the four The Beatles biopics with the real-life figures they could portray.
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Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney
Paul Mescal is rumored to star as Paul McCartney, who split main vocal duties with John Lennon and played the piano, drums and guitar.
McCartney has won 18 Grammy Awards throughout his career and was honored with a lifetime achievement award as a solo musician in 1990 and as a member of The Beatles in 2014.
Mescal has yet to confirm if he has been cast in the role, however he told Entertainment Tonight in December 2024 that “it would be an incredible story to be attached to.”
He added, “It truly would be a dream come true.”
The Oscar-nominated actor first made waves in the 2020 Hulu adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel Normal People. Mescal went on to star in 2022’s Aftersun and 2024’s Gladiator II.
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Harris Dickinson as John Lennon
Harris Dickinson is rumored to play Lennon, the late guitar player and co-songwriter of The Beatles.
Lennon died on Dec. 8, 1980, at age 40 after being shot outside of his Manhattan apartment. Over a decade later, in 1994, McCartney inducted him into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.
Speaking of the casting rumor to Variety in December 2024, Dickinson said, “It would be amazing to do that.”
“I think the idea of Sam teaming up to do something like that would be incredibly exciting,” he added. “Obviously, John Lennon is a very complex role, a pretty formidable force to try to do. It would be cool.”
When asked if he had officially signed on to the role, Dickinson remained tight-lipped and said, “We’ll see.”
Dickinson first gained recognition in 2017’s Beach Rats, followed by roles in 2022’s Triangle of Sadness and The Iron Claw the following year. More recently, he starred in 2024’s Babygirl alongside Nicole Kidman.
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Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr
According to The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr himself, Barry Keoghan will portray him in the upcoming biopic.
Starr joined The Beatles in 1962 to replace drummer Pete Best, and went on to have a solo career once the band split in 1970.
Although the actor has yet to confirm the news himself, Entertainment Tonight asked Starr in December 2024 what he thought about the reports of Keoghan portraying him, to which the drummer said he thinks “it’s great.”
“I believe he’s somewhere taking drum lessons,” Starr said. “I hope not too many.”
The Oscar-nominated actor previously starred in 2022’s The Banshees of Inisherin and 2023’s Saltburn.
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Charlie Rowe or Joseph Quinn as George Harrison
Phillip Faraone/Getty ; Hulton Archive/ Getty ; Karwai Tang/WireImage
After Variety initially reported that Charlie Rowe was attached to the film as lead guitarist George Harrison, Deadline later stated that Joseph Quinn was rumored to helm the role.
Harrison died of lung cancer on Nov. 29, 2001, at 58 years old. Three years later, he was posthumously recognized for his solo career by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2014, he also won a Grammy lifetime achievement award as a member of The Beatles and as a solo artist the following year.
If Quinn were to take the part, it would mark a reunion for him and Mescal, as they both appeared in 2024’s Gladiator II. The actor is also known for his roles in Stranger Things and 2024’s A Quiet Place: Day One.
Meanwhile, for Rowe, it wouldn’t be his first time appearing in a biopic of a music legend. He previously starred in 2019’s Rocketman, portraying Ray Williams, the music producer and publisher who discovered music icon Elton John.
Source: People
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