Zak Starkey, the son of legendary drummer Ringo Starr, has openly questioned whether actor Barry Keoghan can truly capture his father’s charisma in the much-anticipated Barry Keoghan Ringo Starr biopic. The film, set for release in April 2028, will see Keoghan take on the role of the famed Beatles drummer as part of a unique four-film project.
Zak Starkey Shares His Concerns About the Casting
Starkey, speaking with NME, expressed his doubts about Keoghan’s suitability for the role, referencing both physical appearance and the unique spark that defined his father’s persona.
“I don’t know what else to say. He doesn’t look anything like my dad, does he? You can fix anything, can’t you? You can certainly give someone a big rubber nose. The thing about my dad is his personality. He sold the Beatles to America, he’s the one with the charisma. Pulling that off will be hard. He’s just himself.”
— Zak Starkey, Son of Ringo Starr
Starkey’s remarks highlight the difficulty of portraying a musician who did more than just play drums, instead characterizing his father as the Beatles member who truly enchanted American audiences with his distinctive personality.
Barry Keoghan Prepares for the Role
To accurately impersonate Starr, Barry Keoghan has already met with the drummer to observe his playing style firsthand.
“I met him at his house and he played the drums for me,”
Keoghan told Jimmy Kimmel, indicating his commitment to authentically depicting Starr.
“He asked me to play but I wasn’t playing the drums for Ringo. … My job is to observe and take in the mannerisms and study him. But I want to humanize him and bring feelings to it, not just imitate.”
— Barry Keoghan, Actor portraying Ringo Starr
Keoghan’s approach focuses on understanding not just Starr’s musical talent, but also his mannerisms and emotional depth, aiming to offer a more relatable take rather than mere imitation.
Musicality: An Unmatched Challenge
Starkey remains skeptical that anyone can truly match his father’s drumming on screen.
“That’s fucking impossible. Nobody can play like my dad,”
he emphasized, making clear that even with diligent study, Starr’s unique musical gifts present a significant obstacle.
“Good luck to him, but he’ll be the first guy who can pull it off. My dad’s unique – the greatest rock ‘n’ roll drummer in the world, still. He’s better now than he was then.”
— Zak Starkey, Son of Ringo Starr
This sentiment underscores the challenge facing Keoghan as well as the weight of portraying such an iconic musician whose influence and distinct style have endured for decades.
Details on the Multi-Film Beatles Biopics
The planned biopic is one in a series of four films, each set to debut across four weekends in April 2028. Alongside Barry Keoghan’s portrayal of Ringo Starr, Harris Dickinson will depict John Lennon, Paul Mescal will play Paul McCartney, and Joseph Quinn is slated to appear as George Harrison. Each band member’s story is set to receive individual focus, giving fans a chance to delve into the unique backgrounds of the Beatles members.
With a cast including recognized names and the involvement of high-profile industry figures, this series of biopics is generating significant anticipation within the music and film worlds alike.
What This Means for Fans and Music History
The Barry Keoghan Ringo Starr biopic will serve not only as an exploration of the legendary drummer’s life, but also as a broader tribute to the enduring legacy of The Beatles. Given the doubts expressed by Zak Starkey, audiences may be particularly eager to see whether Keoghan can capture the personal magnetism that helped make Starr and his bandmates cultural icons. As the project approaches its release, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if the on-screen portrayals live up to the memory of the world’s most influential rock group.
