Sam Mendes Will Direct 4 Separate Beatles Biopics

Movies

In 2027, Sony Motion Pictures Group, Columbia, and Apple Corp will release four films, each about a member of the Beatles. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as the families of John Lennon and George Harrison, are cooperating and licensing the music titans’ catalogs for the films. Sam Mendes will direct and produce all four films, the release schedule and cast of which are unknown. Check out statements from various parties here:

“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,”  director/producer Sam Mendes said in a statement.

“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!’” Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group, added in his own statement.

Rothman, in a note to Sony employees Tuesday that was obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, added: “Many companies were hoping for the chance to partner on this once-in-a-lifetime cinematic experience. I am honored that in Columbia Pictures’ 100th year, and with Tony’s enthusiastic support, we won the day and are the chosen home.”

“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,” said  Pippa Harris (Mendes’ Neal Street partner) in a statement.

I don’t know what to make of this. Sam Mendes is a good director, and I love the Beatles, but this idea is particularly ambitious. It could be incredible, but I don’t know. Who would play the Fab Four? Will these films accurately portray the darker aspects of their lives, especially John Lennon’s? It’s too soon to tell, but I will probably at least watch these.

But what do you think? Sound off in the comments!