Individual Beatles-Authorized Biopics Due For John, Paul, George and Ringo
by Best Classic Bands Staff
The Beatles via their Facebook page
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), Sam Mendes and Neal Street Productions have announced a groundbreaking creative endeavor to tell the story of The Beatles with four distinct theatrical feature films. The project, announced today (February 20, 2024), marks the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles–Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison–have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film.
From the announcement: As conceived by Mendes, who will direct, the four theatrical feature films–one from each band member’s point-of-view–will intersect to tell the astonishing story of the greatest rock band in history.
SPE will finance and distribute worldwide with full theatrical windows in 2027. The dating cadence of the films, the details of which will be shared closer to release, will be innovative and groundbreaking, the announcement promises.
Mendes will direct all four films and produce alongside his Neal Street Productions partner Pippa Harris and Neal Street’s Julie Pastor. Jeff Jones will executive produce for Apple Corps Ltd.
“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,” said Mendes. The filmmaker has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director twice, winning for American Beauty. He was also nominated for 1917. His many other films include two for the James Bond franchise, Skyfall and Spectre.
Mendes is the second Oscar-winning director to be entrusted with documenting The Beatles career in recent years. He follows Peter Jackson, who helmed 2021’s acclaimed eight-hour Get Back docuseries.
“We intend this to be a uniquely thrilling, and epic cinematic experience: four films, told from four different perspectives which tell a single story about the most celebrated band of all time,” said Harris. “To have The Beatles’ and Apple Corps’ blessing to do this is an immense privilege. From our first meeting with Tom Rothman (chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group) and Elizabeth Gabler (President, Sony 3000 Pictures), it was clear that they shared both our passion and ambition for this project, and we can’t think of a more perfect home than Sony Pictures.”
“Apple Corps is delighted to collaborate with Sam, Pippa and Julie to explore each Beatles’ unique story and to bring them together in a suitably captivating and innovative way,” said Apple Corps Ltd. CEO Jeff Jones. “Sony Pictures’ enthusiastic support, championing the project’s scope and creative vision from the start, has been invaluable for all of us.”
Best Classic Bands will continue to update this story.
Related: The Beatles’ first American concert
2 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationI really hope these won’t be boring puff pieces, but instead will be insightful, in-depth views of each Beatle’s journey, experiences, immense talents, and global impact both during and after the Beatles. I would love to see films like that.
v2787: With an Academy Award-winning director at the helm, it’s safe to say that these films are in good hands.