There are few actors doing more exciting things right now than Paul Mescal, and coming off the hit Gladiator II he’s more in demand than ever. One of the many gigs he has lined up is a reunion with Ridley Scott for The Dog Stars, but rumors have been swirling that he’s attached to something even bigger, Sam Mendes’ ambitious Beatles project. And now we have confirmation that the rumors are true, coming straight from the mouth of Scott.
In a DGA conversation with Christopher Nolan (via THR) about Gladiator II, Scott wondered if Mescal would have time to do The Dog Stars since he’d be busy with Mendes’ Beatles film. Plural is accurate because Mendes plans four movies with each centering on a different member of the legendary band. Mescal is expected to play Paul McCartney.
“Maybe,” Scott said about Mescal starring in his movie. “Paul is actually stacked up, doing the Beatles next. So I may have to let him go.”
Another actor attached to the film is Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. It was Starr who confirmed that one himself. Others rumored are Harris Dickinson as John Lennon and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.
So Scott may have to replace Mescal on The Dog Stars since he expects that to be his next film. While that would be disappointing, Scott won’t have any trouble finding someone on Mescal’s level.
And as for Mendes’ Beatles movies, this is a huge undertaking that will occupy many years. So let’s just wait and see how it develops. On paper it could be incredible.
