Sam Mendes’s long-anticipated Beatles project has moved into full public view, with a quartet of young British and Irish actors recreating the Abbey Road crossing as part of publicity for a multi-part set of biopics that will reach cinemas in April 2028. Among them is Barry Keoghan, who appears as Ringo Starr alongside Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn and Harris Dickinson.
Four films, four perspectives
Sony Pictures has confirmed the title, The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, and that each instalment will be told from a different band member’s perspective. The announcement brings together a high-profile ensemble — and, in a publicity moment filmed outside EMI Studios in London, the four leads were seen walking the zebra crossing that famously appears on the Beatles’ 1969 album cover.
The casting and the Abbey Road recreation will be of particular interest to film fans in Barry who follow British and Irish acting talent and the slate of major releases scheduled for the next few years. The project is notable for being the first theatrical feature to secure life rights and music from the Beatles and their estates, a factor likely to draw sizeable audiences to local screens when the films are released.
Cast and characters
The four principal cast members have been paired with the Beatles they will portray. The production has also revealed other supporting cast members who will depict figures from the band’s life and career.
- Harris Dickinson as John Lennon
- Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney
- Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr
- Joseph Quinn as George Harrison
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Harris Dickinson | John Lennon |
| Paul Mescal | Paul McCartney |
| Barry Keoghan | Ringo Starr |
| Joseph Quinn | George Harrison |
Other names attached to the project include Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, James Norton as Brian Epstein, Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey, and Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono, among others. Production details and specific plot material are being kept tightly under wraps by the studio.
Director’s vision and reactions
Director Sam Mendes described the work as the “first binge-able theatrical experience” when he spoke about the project during CinemaCon 2025. That phrasing suggests a release strategy that treats the four films as a single, extended event — a contrast with the usual standalone feature approach.
“Each man has his own story, but together they are legendary.”
The statement acts as the official logline for the overall project. It emphasises the individual perspectives the films will take while underlining the collective cultural weight of the band — a selling point that is likely to drive audiences in Barry and beyond into local cinemas when tickets go on sale.
The original drummer, Ringo Starr, has publicly praised Keoghan, telling a media outlet in July that the actor was “such a fine actor” and that he felt “in good hands.” That endorsement will be used by the studio and is likely to reassure Beatles fans worried about portrayals of the band members.
What it means for Barry audiences
For viewers in Barry, the announcement is a reminder of the continuing draw of major cinematic events. Local cinemas routinely programme large-scale releases over multiple screens and schedules; a Beatles theatrical event that combines music rights with the cooperation of the band’s estates is likely to generate demand for extended runs, special screenings and possibly early-booking interest.
While Sony has confirmed only an April 2028 release window for the overall project and not the dates for each film, fans should expect further publicity — and ticketing details — to emerge in the coming year. In the meantime, the Abbey Road recreation featuring Keoghan, Mescal, Quinn and Dickinson provides a clear signal that the project is proceeding to the public phase of promotion.
Barry cinema-goers who want to stay informed should look out for local listings and advance booking announcements from cinema operators, as well as further studio releases that will confirm screening formats, run times and the schedule for the four films.
