Four Beatles biopic projects are to be released, told from the perspective of each member, Sony Pictures Entertainment have confirmed.
These biopics, which will be directed by Sam Mendes, will tell the story from each band member’s point-of-view. The stories will merge to “tell the story of the greatest band in history”.
The films will be finance and distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment, which will be released globally in 2027.
In a statement, the Beatles said that “the dating cadence of the films, the details of which will be shared closer to release, will be innovative and groundbreaking”.
What makes this project stands out from previous films and biopics about the Fab Four, is that it marks the first time that Apple Corps Ltd, the Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as the families of John Lennon and George Harrison, have all allowed full life story and music rights for a film.
“excited to challenge the notion”
Sam Mendes’ Neal Street Productions partner Pippa Harris and Neal Street’s Julie Pastor will also produce this film.
“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 a statement.
Pippa Harris also added a statement of her own on this.
“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”, she said.
She also added, “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”.
“a suitably captivating and innovative way”
The Beatles films will also see Jeff Jones serve as executive producer for Apple Corps Ltd.
Jones said, “Apple Corps is delighted to collaborate with Sam, Pippa and Julie to explore each Beatle’s unique story and to bring them together in a suitably captivating and innovative way. Sony Pictures’ enthusiastic support, championing the project’s scope and creative vision from the start, has been invaluable for all of us”.
He went on, “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!’” said Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group”.
“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 also added.
Several films have been made about the Beatles in the past, including 1970’s ‘Let It Be’, and 2021’s The Beatles: Get Back, directed by Peter Jackson.
Earlier this month, the band also landed their second Grammy Award in the Best Music Video category. See more here.
