Irish actor Paul Mescal is preparing to play Paul McCartney in a series of upcoming Beatles films directed by Sam Mendes, with the first of the four movies set for release in April 2028. These films will each focus on a different member of the legendary band, telling their stories in detail as part of an unprecedented theatrical project authorized by the Beatles and their families.
Details of the Beatles Movie Project and Cast
The ambitious Beatles biopic series, announced in 2024, will include separate films for each member: Mescal as McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. Produced by Sony Pictures, the project marks the first time the band and their descendants have granted full rights for such a cinematic portrayal.
Alongside Mescal and the other actors portraying the bandmates, the films feature a star-studded supporting cast including Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, James Norton as Brian Epstein, Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey, Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono, Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd, Harry Lloyd as George Martin, and David Morrissey as Jim McCartney. Additional roles are filled by Leanne Best, Bobby Schofield, Daniel Hoffmann-Gill, Arthur Darvill, and Adam Pally to depict significant figures from the Beatles’ lives and careers.
Filming Sightings and Insights Into the Project
Recently, Mescal was seen filming alongside the real Paul McCartney in London, suggesting preparation activities for the films. The interaction between the two was captured as they visited the Regency Cafe in Westminster, where Mescal carried a notepad while McCartney sported a casual navy jacket and trainers. The exact nature of the scenes—part of a yet-unrevealed documentary linked to the project—remains unclear but appears to involve in-depth conversations to help Mescal understand the man he will portray.
Background and Industry Context of Beatles Portrayals
This is not the first time the Beatles have inspired cinematic interpretations; Aaron Taylor-Johnson played John Lennon in the 2009 film “Nowhere Boy,” and Robert Carlyle portrayed Lennon in Danny Boyle’s “Yesterday,” a movie imagining a world without the band. The new Mendes-directed series aims to be the most comprehensive and authorized retelling, capturing both the public and private lives of the band members through multiple narratives.
In January 2024, the first visual introductions of the cast in their roles were publicly revealed through postcards circulated at iconic Beatles-related venues, including the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, a school co-founded by Paul McCartney himself.
Statements from Director and Lead Actor on the Project
Reflecting on his role in the series, director Sam Mendes stated,
“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.”
Mescal has also expressed awe about portraying McCartney, saying in a previous interview with IndieWire,
“To spend any time — it’s a crazy sentence to say that I’ve spent time with that man, let alone play him.”
Project Significance and What Lies Ahead
This multi-film project is expected to offer fans and new audiences an unprecedented look into the lives of the Beatles, blending archival material with dramatic storytelling. The involvement of Paul McCartney and the band’s families in granting rights adds a rare layer of authenticity and authority to the films. With the release planned for 2028, anticipation is building not only for the performances but also for the fresh perspective the films promise to bring to the legendary band’s history.
Meanwhile, a recent documentary titled Paul McCartney Man On The Run premiered on Prime Video, focusing on McCartney’s personal and creative resurgence after the Beatles’ breakup, adding context and renewed interest to the actor’s upcoming portrayal.
