Four Beatles biopics to be directed by “American Beauty” director
The legendary Beatles are returning, with Sam Mendes helming each member’s big-screen biopic that will immortalize them all, Sony Pictures announced on Tuesday.
“The project marks the first time (Beatles’ label) 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,” the studio stated in a statement.
Alongside Mendes, Pippa Harris will codirect the project. “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,” Harris said. The movies are scheduled for release in 2027.
Six months after “Abbey Road” came out and one month before “Let It Be,” the members of the popular British band announced their split in April 1970.
Nearly a billion records were sold during the ten-year partnership between McCartney, Lennon, Harrison, and Starr, which also produced a number of films and 14 best-selling albums. However, the families of the band members have not approved The Beatles’ story being adapted for the big screen since the band’s dissolution.
Last fall, a new song called “Now and Then”—which was first recorded as a demo forty years ago—was developed and released with the aid of artificial intelligence, reaching the top of the British charts.
Numerous films have also been made about The Beatles, including Peter Jackson’s The Beatles: Get Back series, which sheds light on the events leading up to their breakup. Mendes declared himself “honoured to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time.” His directing credits include the James Bond movies Spectre and Skyfall as well as American Beauty.
Retracing great stories from the world of music, documentaries and biopics have proliferated in recent years on streaming services and in theaters.
“Elvis” recalls the turbulent life of Elvis Presley, “Tina” honors Tina Turner, “Rocketman” relates the narrative of Elton John’s ascent to fame, and “Bohemian Rhapsody” explores the tale of Queen.
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