Joseph Quinn, Barry Keoghan, Harris Dickinson and Paul Mescal at CinemaCon 2025 for Sony Pictures at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 31, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada (Image: Eric Charbonneau, Sony Pictures via Getty Images)
The cast set to portray The Beatles in an epic tetralogy film series – each instalment focusing on an individual member of the Fab Four – has been announced, sparking varied reactions.
Helmed by Sir Sam Mendes, the director behind this adventurous and thrilling endeavour, aims to chronicle the complete saga of the legendary group that revolutionised the music industry.
This fresh take on The Beatles’ tale is unique as it’s the first instance where all four band members’ estates have consented to grant full life and music rights for a narrative feature.
The grand reveal of the star-studded line-up occurred at the CinemaCon event in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 31. Stepping into the shoes of the Liverpool icons are Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.
Scheduled for release in April 2028, the Oscar-winning director provided further details at the convention: “Each one is told from the particular perspective of just one of the guys. They intersect in different ways – sometimes overlapping, sometimes not.
“They’re four very different human beings. Perhaps this is a chance to understand them a little more deeply. But together, all four films will tell the story of the greatest band in history.”
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The anticipation is mounting for the new film series and its unique spin on The Beatles’ tale, sparking a social media frenzy. Views on the casting, however, are mixed.
A Reddit user expressed skepticism: “Of course acting matters more than looks, but my brain cannot comprehend any of these guys as the Beatles they’re supposed to be playing.”
Contrasting this viewpoint, someone on platform X enthused: “The Fab Four just got a whole new level of talent. This cast is about to redefine legendary.”
Here’s an insight into the actors stepping into The Beatles’ iconic shoes, detailing their past work and recognisable roles.
Paul Mescal
Paul Mescal is set to play Paul McCartney (Image: Getty)
Slated to embody Paul McCartney, Paul Mescal has been captivating viewers with his compelling performances across various mediums.
This 29-year-old honed his craft at The Lir Academy in Dublin and then showcased his skills on stage in the city before making a splash in the BBC adaptation of Sally Rooney’s hit novel, Normal People, in 2020.
Following that breakthrough, he featured in the TV miniseries The Deceived that same year and made his big-screen debut in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Lost Daughter in 2021.
Mescal scored an Oscar nomination for his role in 2022’s Aftersun, followed by a parts in the musical drama Carmen and All of us Strangers in 2023, and he recently led Gladiator II, sharing the screen with Joseph Quinn, who is also part of the upcoming Beatles project.
Harris Dickinson
Harris Dickinson (right) will play John Lennon (Image: Getty)
The role of John Lennon will be portrayed by 28-year-old British actor, writer and director Harris Dickinson. Having been in the performing arts from a young age, his work on both stage and screen has garnered him a significant fan base and critical praise.
Dickinson’s acting journey began with the 2014 short film, Battle Lines. He later appeared in two episodes of the popular TV series Silent Witness in 2017, as well as the award-winning indie drama, Beach Rats.
In 2019, he shared the screen with Hollywood legend Angelina Jolie in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, playing Prince Philip. He also starred alongside Ralph Fiennes in 2021’s The King’s Man.
In 2022, he featured opposite Daisy Edgar Jones, co-star of Paul Mescal in Normal People, in the film adaptation of the bestseller, Where the Crawdads Sing.
His most recent role as a young intern embarking on a passionate affair with his CEO, played by Nicole Kidman, in Babygirl, has propelled him further into the limelight.
Joseph Quinn
Actor Joseph Quinn pictured in Las Vegas (Image: Getty)
George Harrison will be brought to life by Joseph Quinn in the Mendes project. The 31-year-old Londoner is a graduate of the renowned drama school, LAMDA.
Quinn’s early roles include a lead part in the BBC One series Dickensian from 2015 to 2016. In 2017, he had roles in shows such as Howards End, Timewasters and an episode of Game of Thrones.
Joseph Quinn’s portrayal of Eddie Munson in the eagerly awaited fourth season of Stranger Things catapulted him into stardom, and he has since landed roles in major Hollywood projects.
He starred alongside Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o in A Quiet Place: Day One, shared the screen with Paul Mescal in Gladiator II, and has been cast as Johnny ‘the Human Torch’ Storm in the new Fantastic Four film and Avengers: Doomsday.
On Reddit, fans have been praising his career trajectory, with one user commenting: “Excellent work by Joe Quinn’s agent since Stranger Things tbh”. Another humorously noted: “Joseph Quinn is going from Fantastic 4 to Fab 4”.
Barry Keoghan
Barry Keoghan will play Ringo Starr (Image: Getty)
Taking on the role of drummer Ringo Starr is the 32-year-old BAFTA-winning actor Barry Keoghan. His acting career began in 2011, with appearances in television series such as Fair City, Love/Hate, Chernobyl, and Top Boy.
Keoghan first gained widespread attention for his performance in Christopher Nolan’s 2017 war film, Dunkirk.
His role in Yorgos Lanthimos’s The Killing of a Sacred Deer also earned him critical acclaim. In 2021, he entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Druig in Eternals.
The subsequent year saw him star in Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin, which won him a BAFTA for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, along with nominations for both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
His 2023 appearance as Oliver Quick in Emerald Fennell’s dark comedy thriller Saltburn received praise and sparked a wave of viral social media memes and tributes.