Sam Mendes followed up his acclaimed war drama 1917 with another accomplished film, Empire of Light, that I think was a bit overlooked during awards season. So what does Mendes do next in response? Not one movie, but how about four of them, all centered on a different member of The Beatles?
Beatles Mania has been in effect since Peter Jackson’s The Beatles: Get Back, and continued with the recent AI-produced final song, “Now and Then.” Apple and Sony are jumping on the bandwagon with four separate theatrical features, all scripted dramas, about each individual Beatles member. Mendes will direct all four movies about John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
Mendes’ films will “intersect to tell the astonishing story of the greatest band in history”, each told from the band member’s perspective.
For the first time ever, Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles have granted total life rights and full music rights to scripted feature. The plan is for Mendes to release each movie in 2027, which suggests we should start hearing about casting and production very soon. Sony Pictures is backing the projects and will distribute, as well.
“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 Sam Mendes in a statement.
“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 Neal Street Productions partner Pippa Harris. “To have The Beatles’ and Apple Corps’ blessing to do this is an immense privilege. From our first meeting with Tom Rothman and Elizabeth Gabler, 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.”
How excited are you about seeing The Beatles’ story being told this way and by Mendes?