Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, Joseph Quinn and Harris Dickinson to star in four biopics of The Beatles

Hollywood studio executives are making their case for theatergoing with a little help from their friends, none other than the Fab Four John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr – and the newly announced stars set to play them.

Sony Pictures kicked off the annual CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas on Monday by touting not one but four upcoming biopics told from the perspective of each member of The Beatles.

The studio confirmed and brought out the long-rumored leads for each film — Paul Mescal as McCartney, Harris Dickinson as Lennon, Joseph Quinn as Harrison and Barry Keoghan as Starr.

Check out the cast:

The casting of these actors is hardly a surprise, as we reported last year that this upcoming BCU (Beatles Cinematic Universe) had found its stars. However, it was rumoured that Charlie Rowe (Rocketman) would play Harrison. In the end, Quinn (best known for his roles in Netflix's hit show Stranger Things, as well as the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps) got the part.

On stage, the four actors recited from the band’s song ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’: “It’s wonderful to be here, it’s certainly a thrill, you’re such a lovely audience, we’d like to take you home with us.”

Director Sam Mendes (Skyfall, 1917) said all four films will premiere April 2028, calling it the “first binge-able theatrical experience.”

“I’ve been trying to make a story about The Beatles for years,” Mendes said. “We’re not just making one film about the Beatles – we’re making four. Perhaps this is a chance to understand them a little more deeply.”

The Beatles “redefined the culture and stayed with you for a lifetime”, Mendes said, calling them “the most significant band of all time.” 

The four films will be released “in proximity” to each other, he said, adding: "Frankly, we need big cinematic events to get people out of the house.” 

They were joined by CEO Tom Rothman, who encouraged movie theater owners to get creative with weekday discounts, while Sony executive Adam Bergerman made the case for keeping films in cinemas for longer.

The convention comes fresh off an Oscars rallying cry for seeing movies in theaters.

While accepting the award for Best Director at the Academy Awards, Anora director Sean Baker let out his “battle cry”, encouraging people to support endangered independent cinemas and passionately expressing his love for the “communal experience you don’t get at home.”  

“Please try to watch movies in the cinema,” pleaded Baker.

Although a fuller release schedule is expected this year compared to 2024’s depleted calendar thanks to dual historic strikes, Hollywood marked the first quarter of 2025 with a sizable box office deficit.

Sales are down 11 per cent from the same point in 2024, and nearly 40 per cent from 2019, according to media analytics company Comscore.