'The Beatles - A Four-Film Cinematic Event' tells each band member's story in 4 biopics
The four-part film is set for release in April 2028. Paul Mescal plays Paul McCartney; Harris Dickinson plays John Lennon; Barry Keoghan plays Ringo Starr; and Joseph Quinn plays George Harrison.
FILE: English band the Beatles with, from left to right, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and George Harrison, arrive at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, United States, where they're greeted by a large crowd on 7 February 1964. Picture: AFP
CapeTalk's John Maytham speaks to music guru Sean Brokensha to discuss the upcoming four-part Beatles biopic series directed by Sir Sam Mendes.
Listen below:
The story of The Beatles and its members are becoming four biopic films, with each instalment of 'The Beatles - A Four-Film Cinematic Event" reflecting a band member's life.
All four films will be in production for over a year and are expected to be released in April 2028.
Brokensha reflects on the casting, the cultural impact of the first fully authorised Beatles film project, and why it's dubbed the 'first bingeable theatrical experience'.
He says the four biopics are 'bold' attempts that make him 'nervous' and 'excited'.
"As a Beatles fan, I am two things; excited and nervous - there's a lot at stake here... It forces us to examine how we look at biopics... we tend to have a one dimensional look that it must be faithful... you don't want them to mess around with the legacy. But recent years have shown us that interpretation is possible."
- Sean Brokensha
"This an incredibly bold and brave attempt... It's the first, proper one approved by The Beatles and their estate."
- Sean Brokensha
Part of what makes Brokensha 'extremely nervous' about these biopics is that Beatles fans will 'examine' each film quite closely - what is the director going to do with the music? Will he parrot it completely? Will he interpret it differently, which is very dangerous; there can be major backlash?
The biopic will have four parts because there are parts of The Beatles' lives that were experienced extremely differently by each individual.
"It's sheer brilliance to do four of them. I think that's a huge advantage... I think it's going to be great."
- Sean Brokensha
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.