Oscar-nominated director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, 1917, Skyfall) plans to direct four different Beatles biopics, with each film focusing on a different member of the band. They are all scheduled for theatrical release in 2027.
“I'm honored to tell the story of the greatest rock band of all time, and I'm excited to challenge the idea of what constitutes a trip to the movies,” Mendes said in a statement. The project has the full cooperation of surviving band members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon Estates, and Apple Records.
Mendes will produce the films alongside Pippa Harris and Julie Pastor of Neal Street Productions. Harris commented: “We intend this to be an epic, exciting and unique cinematic experience: four films, told from four different points of view telling one story about the most famous band of all time.” “To have the blessing of The Beatles and Apple Corps to do this is a tremendous privilege. From our first meeting with Tom Rothman and Elizabeth Gabler, it was clear that they shared our passion and ambition for this project, and we couldn't think of a more perfect home than Sony Pictures.”
Added Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures' Motion Picture Group: “Today's theatrical blockbuster events should be a cultural earthquake. Sam's bold, wide-ranging idea is that and more. Combining his first filmmaking team with the music and stories of four young people “Change the world, it will rock audiences around the world. We are extremely grateful to all parties and look forward to breaking some rules with Sam's unique artistic vision.”