It’s been a minute since we heard from director Sam Mendes and his uber-ambitious “Beatles” film plans. Known for the Oscar-winning “American Beauty” and the Bond films, “Skyfall,” and “Spectre,” Mendes isn’t just taking the bold step of making a fictional film about the Beatles, he’s making four of them, one about each member: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
And apparently, there is some movement afoot. A new THR profile about the latest group of Hollywood rising stars—which includes Austin Butler, Jacob Elordi, Florence Pugh, Glen Powell, and others— says “is near the top of the list for major studio roles, including as one of the Fab Four in Sam Mendes’ coming Beatles movies.”
READ MORE: Sam Mendes To Direct 4 Beatles Film Dramas Based On Each Band Member Band For 2027
That’s all that’s noted, but it’s revealing nonetheless. Mescal is Irish, but obviously can do a good British accent and you can easily see how hair and makeup could transform him into any of the Beatles, though he does seem to have a McCartney-ish look to him.
Mendes’ four Beatles movies are all supposed to land in 2027 as a kind of big event series each quarter from Sony Pictures. The project marked the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles – Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon and George Harrison families – have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film.
The Beatles film concept is for Mendes to tell four different stories—one from each band member’s point-of-view – which intersect to tell the astonishing story of the greatest band in history. Don’t they need a fifth Beatles movie, “Avengers”-style, to sum it all up and make the ultimate bank? That’s currently not in the cards, and directing four films all set to come out in the same year is a herculean task, but it’s one Mendes is undertaking nonetheless. No screenwriters, cast, or any other details have been revealed other than Sony eyeing Mescal for a part.
The 28-year-old’s ascension has been nothing short of meteoric. Mescal rose to acclaim in 2020’s “Normal People,” and two years later, he was already nominated for Best Actor at the 95th Academy Awards for his lead role in “Aftersun.” Mescal gained further plaudits for “All of Us Strangers” (a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor) and up next is the lead role in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II.” Let’s keep our eyes peeled for official Beatles movie announcements to see if Mescal makes the cut.