Ringo Starr has intervened in the development of the Sam Mendes Beatles biopic film project, requesting significant script changes during an in-depth review with the director in London. The multi-film venture, set to present the Beatles’ story from each member’s viewpoint, is currently gaining attention as actors and original band members weigh in on accuracy and character portrayal.
Ringo Starr Reviews Script and Requests Revisions
Starr, depicted by Barry Keoghan, recently took the initiative to review Sam Mendes’s script line by line in London, particularly scrutinizing scenes involving his family and his first wife, Maureen Starkey Tigrett. According to his comments in The New York Times, Starr identified parts that did not reflect his real-life relationships or mannerisms.
“He had a writer — very good writer, great reputation, and he wrote it great, but it had nothing to do with Maureen and I,”
said Starr.
“That’s not how we were. I’d say, ‘We would never do that.’”
—Ringo Starr, musician
After his feedback, Starr expressed greater satisfaction with the updated script and maintained an optimistic, if slightly reserved, outlook for the project’s future.
“He’ll do what he’s doing,” he said,
“and I’ll send him peace and love.”
—Ringo Starr, musician
All-Star Cast Announced for Four-Film Cinematic Event
The star-studded casting was officially revealed at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, introducing Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn playing George Harrison, with Barry Keoghan taking on the role of Starr himself. These actors, along with Mendes and the production team, are aiming to capture each “Fab Four” member’s unique narrative in The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event. During the announcement, cast members evoked the spirit of iconic Beatles performances by quoting lines from
“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”
“It’s wonderful to be here,” they said, reciting lyrics from the song.
“It’s certainly a thrill. You’re such a lovely audience, we’d like to take you home with us.”
—Cast (CinemaCon presentation)
Director Sam Mendes Expresses His Vision for the Biopic
Sam Mendes, known for his distinctive filmmaking style, has spoken about the magnitude of bringing the Beatles’ story to the big screen in this innovative format. Upon announcing the project, Mendes explained the honor and excitement he feels as he works with the legendary band’s history.
“I’m honored to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time, and excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies.”
—Sam Mendes, director
As Mendes continues to develop the Sam Mendes Beatles biopic film project, it is anticipated that Paul McCartney, another surviving member of the Beatles, may also provide script feedback, adding another layer of authenticity to the production.
Looking Ahead to Production and Legacy
With Ringo Starr’s candid input and the involvement of celebrated actors such as Barry Keoghan, Joseph Quinn, Harris Dickinson, and Paul Mescal, the highly anticipated biopic seeks to balance cinematic storytelling with faithfulness to real events. The collaborative process between the filmmakers and the Beatles themselves suggests viewers can expect a narrative that honors the group’s enduring legacy while offering unprecedented, individual perspectives. As production advances, music fans around the world will be eager to see how this ambitious four-part event shapes the story of rock’s most iconic band.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What was Sam Mendes’s early life?
A. Mendes grew up in London with his mother, who wrote books for children. His parents got divorced when he was five years old.
His father worked as a professor at a university. Later, Mendes went to the University of Cambridge, where he started a theatre group with Tim Firth, who writes plays.
Q. Is 1917 based on a true story? Yes, is the short answer, but only with some judicious use of artistic license. Director and writer Sam Mendes was inspired to write 1917 as a war film after recalling stories told to him by his grandfather Alfred Mendez.
A. The movie “1917” is not directly based on a true story. However, it takes inspiration from stories that director Sam Mendes heard from his grandfather, who served in World War I.
While the main characters and events are fictional, the film tries to show what soldiers really went through during the war. So, although the story itself is made up, it reflects real experiences from that time.
