After decades of mixed attempts to capture the magic of The Beatles on screen, Sam Mendes’ upcoming biopic series is already being hailed as the most ambitious—and promising—take yet. Titled “The Beatles: The Big Four”, the project will tell the band’s story across four separate feature films, each from the perspective of a different member: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. And this time, for the first time ever, the project has been fully approved by The Beatles’ surviving members and their families, something that sets it apart from every biopic that came before.
The history of Beatles adaptations has been a turbulent one. For decades, studios and directors have tried to bottle the lightning of one of the world’s most beloved bands, but very few succeeded. Many of these projects were criticised for inaccuracies, lack of spirit, or being produced without the involvement of those closest to the story. Films like “Backbeat” (1994), which focused on the band’s early Hamburg years, were met with lukewarm responses for what fans saw as an overly dramatized take on John Lennon’s friendship with Stuart Sutcliffe. Similarly, “Nowhere Boy” (2009), which chronicled Lennon’s teenage years, drew attention for strong performances but frustration from Beatles loyalists who felt the movie leaned too heavily on personal drama at the expense of the group’s musical rise.
Other efforts—like the 2016 feature “The Fifth Beatle”, based on the life of the band’s manager Brian Epstein, and countless unauthorised documentaries—have faced similar pushback. The issue was almost always the same: lack of approval and authenticity. None had access to the full Beatles music catalogue, and most lacked the nuanced perspective of the bandmates themselves.
That’s why Mendes’ new project has generated such intense excitement. It marks the first time ever that the Beatles and their estates have given full cooperation and rights to a scripted biopic. Fans see this as the first genuine opportunity to see their story told truthfully, with access to original recordings and rare archival insight. Mendes, the Oscar-winning director of American Beauty and 1917, has described the approach as “cinematic storytelling through four pairs of eyes,” allowing audiences to experience the same story from four personal, intersecting points of view.
While Mendes’ Beatles project is the most promising in years, one exception in the band’s on-screen legacy stands apart: Peter Jackson’s 2021 Disney+ docuseries Get Back. Unlike most dramatised versions, Get Back was a documentary triumph, built from nearly 60 hours of unseen footage originally captured during the making of Let It Be in 1969. The result was an intimate, often joyous portrait of the group at work—correcting decades of myth about tensions and resentment. Critics called it a “miracle of restoration,” with fans praising how it reintroduced the band’s humour, friendship, and creativity. For many, it became the definitive Beatles documentary—proof that authenticity matters more than dramatic license.
Mendes’ project now aims to do the same—but through drama. Each of the four upcoming films will overlap in timeline and theme, offering a mosaic of the band’s journey from Liverpool’s working-class beginnings to worldwide superstardom and eventual breakup.
Adding to the anticipation is the deeply Irish influence in the cast. Barry Keoghan, one of Ireland’s most acclaimed young actors, has been confirmed to play Ringo Starr, a casting choice that has already sparked huge excitement. Known for his intense, unpredictable performances in The Banshees of Inisherin and Saltburn, Keoghan is expected to bring both humour and quiet depth to the role of the often-underestimated drummer.
Paul Mescal, from Normal People and Aftersun, has been cast as Paul McCartney, an inspired choice given Mescal’s sensitivity and charisma—qualities essential for portraying one of music’s most beloved songwriters. His performance is expected to capture McCartney’s mix of confidence, optimism, and creative drive.
Saoirse Ronan is also on board Mendes’ Beatles project — she has been cast as Linda McCartney, a casting choice that adds even more Irish star power to the already headline-grabbing lineup; Ronan, a four-time Academy Award nominee known for Atonement, Brooklyn, Lady Bird and a string of acclaimed performances, brings awards-level dramatic chops and a talent for intimate, character-driven work that should deepen the film’s emotional centre.
Meanwhile, Harris Dickinson, the English actor known for Triangle of Sadness and The King’s Man, will take on John Lennon, while Charlie Rowe has been cast as George Harrison, the band’s quiet mystic whose influence deepened as their music evolved.
That combination—Mendes’ direction, a Beatles-approved script, and a cast packed with Irish and British talent—has raised expectations sky-high. Each actor is said to be preparing intensely, studying real interviews and performances to capture not just the look and sound, but the distinct personalities of the Fab Four.
Production is set to begin in 2026, with all four films expected to release in 2027. Rather than one long narrative, the films will reportedly interconnect, with certain key moments—like the first Ed Sullivan Show appearance or the rooftop concert—seen from multiple bandmates’ perspectives.
After years of Beatles projects that failed to meet the moment, fans are hoping Mendes’ vision will finally strike the right note: emotional truth, creative daring, and a deep respect for the legacy of four men who changed music forever. With Barry Keoghan and Paul Mescal among the stars, it’s shaping up not just as a Beatles story—but as one of the most exciting Irish-led film events in years.
