NEW YORK — The Beatles are set to receive an unparalleled cinematic tribute with not one, but four biopics, each focusing on a specific band member, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sam Mendes. In a groundbreaking move, the Beatles, known for their stringent rights protection, have granted full life and music rights for this unprecedented movie project. Sony Pictures revealed on Monday a monumental deal that is poised to surpass all previous music biopics.
The quartet of films, envisioned by Mendes, is expected to adopt an innovative theatrical release strategy, potentially allowing the movies to coexist or intersect in theaters. Sony aims to release the films in 2027, with precise plans to be unveiled later.
Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison have all given their approval for the project through the band’s Apple Corps. Ltd. Sony Music Publishing holds the rights to the majority of Beatles songs.
Mendes, expressing his excitement, stated, “I’m honored 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.”
Each film will present the Beatles’ story from the perspective of an individual band member, providing a unique and comprehensive cinematic experience. Producer Pippa Harris remarked,
“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.”
The Beatles’ cinematic history includes iconic films from their early years, such as “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964) and the animated “Yellow Submarine” (1968). Despite numerous documentaries, including Peter Jackson’s 2021 “The Beatles: Get Back,” the upcoming project marks an ambitious attempt to dramatize the Beatles’ story on an unprecedented scale.
In 2023, the Beatles reunited through the aid of artificial intelligence in the newly released song “Now and Then,” a recording facilitated by technology used in Jackson’s “Get Back.” While past attempts to portray the Beatles’ story have been sporadic, the current surge in music biopics, such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Rocketman,” and “Elvis,” suggests a growing appetite for cinematic tales of musical legends.
Tom Rothman, chair and chief executive of Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group, emphasized the cultural significance of Mendes’ vision, stating, “Theatrical movie events today must be culturally seismic. Sam’s daring, large-scale idea is that and then some.” Rothman expressed gratitude to all parties involved, anticipating that Mendes’ artistic vision combined with the Beatles’ music and stories would captivate global audiences and break new ground in the realm of cinematic experiences.