Sam Mendes to direct four-part series of individual biopics about The Beatles

20 February 2024, 18:12

It's the first time The Beatles' life stories will be officially told on screen.

In remarkable news, the stories of each individual member of The Beatles will be made into their own individual biopics.

Sony Pictures and Apple Corps are teaming up to make a four-part series of biopics about each of the Fab Four in conjunction, with The Beatles and Apple Corps themselves granted permission.

The full life stories and music rights of the band will feature in a scripted film for the first time, with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr signing off, as well as the families of John Lennon and George Harrison.

• The Beatles' 20 greatest songs ever, ranked
• How The Beatles reacted to news of John Lennon's murder
• When John Lennon and Paul McCartney reconciled and nearly reformed The Beatles
• The Beatles' best albums, ranked

What is even more intriguing, is that Sam Mendes - director of 1917, American Beauty as well as James Bond films such as Skyfall and Spectre - has signed on to direct all four of them.

The biopics will all be from each member's point of view, intersecting throughout to "tell the astonishing story of the greatest band in history" until their break up in 1970.

As it stands, all of the four movies are set to all be released in 2027 and Sony Pictures have stated they'll deliver an "innovative release cadence" regarding the order of their theatrical releases.

Mendes will also produce the movies with Neal Street Productions partner Pippa Harris and Neal Street’s Julie Pastor. Additionally, Jeff Jones will executive produce for Apple Corps Ltd.

I’m honoured 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," Mendes said in the accompanying statement.

Whilst it'd seem risky to release all four movies in cinemas at once, in recent years there has been a surging popularity for biopics after the success of Bohemian Rhapsody, with Bob Marley: One Love just hitting cinemas and Ridley Scott confirmed to direct the Bee Gees' biopic too.

Pippa Harris added in the 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."

"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," she continued.

Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures' Motion Picture Group, talked up the four-part biopics series saying:

• How The Beatles won a Grammy Award for a nearly 60-year-old song
• George Harrison's widow Olivia shares "magical" backstory for The Beatles' 'Now and Then' artwork
• When Frank Sinatra paid tribute to The Beatles with a gorgeous cover of 'Something'
• 'Free as a Bird' and 'Real Love': The story of the previous "new" Beatles songs

"I know I speak for our CEO Tony Vinciquerra, who was instrumental in making this happen, and every Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group colleague around the world when I say: 'yeah, yeah, yeah!'".

"Theatrical movie events today must be culturally seismic. Sam's daring, large-scale idea is that and then some. Pairing his premiere filmmaking team, with the music and the stories of four young men who changed the world, will rock audiences all over the globe."

"We are deeply grateful to all parties and look forward ourselves to breaking some rules with Sam's uniquely artistic vision," he added.

It's still early days with none of Paul, John, George or Ringo having been cast yet, but it's certainly an exciting time to be a fan of The Beatles.