Current:Home > BackBeatles movies on Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr in the works-LoTradeCoin
Beatles movies on Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr in the works
View Date:2024-12-23 20:43:00
NEW YORK — The Beatles are getting the big-screen biopic treatment in not just one film, but a Fab Four of movies that will give each band member their own spotlight — all of which are to be directed by Sam Mendes.
For the first time, the Beatles, long among the stingiest rights granters, are giving full life and music rights to a movie project. Sony Pictures announced Monday a deal that may dwarf all music biopics that have come before it, with the stories of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr spread out over a quartet of films.
The films, conceived by Mendes, are expected to roll out theatrically in innovative fashion, with the movies potentially coexisting or intersecting in theaters. Precise release plans will be announced at a later date. Sony is targeting 2027 for their release.
McCartney, Starr and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison have all signed off on the project through the band's Apple Corps. Ltd. Sony Music Publishing controls the rights to the majority of Beatles songs.
"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," Mendes said in a statement.
Each film will be from the perspective of a Beatle.
'Now and Then':If the Beatles song left you gently weeping, you weren't alone
"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 producer Pippa Harris. "To have The Beatles' and Apple Corps' blessing to do this is an immense privilege."
The Beatles' most famous forays into film were in their early years. Between 1964 and 1970, they appeared in five movies, including "A Hard Day’s Night" (1964) and the animated "Yellow Submarine" (1968). They've, of course, been the subject of many documentaries, most recently Peter Jackson's 2021 "The Beatles: Get Back."
In 2023, the Beatles reunited with the aid of artificial intelligence in the newly released song "Now and Then." The recording was made possible by technology used by Jackson on "Get Back," and featured a music video made by the New Zealand director.
Attempts to dramatize the Beatles' story have been more sporadic and less impactful. A 1979 biopic, made when Lennon was still alive, called "The Birth of the Beatles" was produced with Beatles original drummer Pete Best as an adviser. The 1994 indie drama "Backbeat" chronicled Lennon’s relationship with Stuart Sutcliffe before the Beatles were famous. "Nowhere Boy" (2009) starred Aaron Taylor-Johnson as a teenage Lennon.
50 fascinating factsyou may not know about The Beatles
But in the last decade, music biopics have become big business. Box-office hits like "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Rocketman" and "Elvis" have sent Hollywood executives chasing the next jukebox blockbuster. Over Presidents Day weekend, "Bob Marley: One Love," produced with the Marley estate, was the No. 1 movie in theaters. A Michael Jackson biopic is in production.
"Theatrical movie events today must be culturally seismic. Sam's daring, large-scale idea is that and then some," said Tom Rothman, chair and chief executive of Sony Pictures' Motion Picture Group.
The combination of Mendes' team "with the music and the stories of four young men who changed the world, will rock audiences all over the globe," Rothman said. "We are deeply grateful to all parties and look forward ourselves to breaking some rules with Sam’s uniquely artistic vision."
veryGood! (988)
Related
- Former North Carolina labor commissioner becomes hospital group’s CEO
- Trump's trial, Stormy Daniels and why our shifting views of sex and porn matter right now
- Reports: Police officer was shot and killed in Ohio after being ambushed
- Lysander Clark's Business Core Empire: WT Finance Institute
- Bev Priestman fired as Canada women’s soccer coach after review of Olympic drone scandal
- Shooting at Alabama party leaves 3 people dead and at least 12 wounded, police say
- Megan Fox, Nicholas Galitzine and More Whose First Jobs Are Relatable AF
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Ladies First
- Todd Golden to continue as Florida basketball coach despite sexual harassment probe
- A Visionary Integration with WFI Token and Financial Education
Ranking
- Colts' Kenny Moore II ridicules team's effort in loss to Bills
- Honolulu agrees to 4-month window to grant or deny gun carrying licenses after lawsuit over delays
- Reports: Police officer was shot and killed in Ohio after being ambushed
- Local governments struggle to distribute their share of billions from opioid settlements
- The Daily Money: Inflation is still a thing
- On 'SNL,' Maya Rudolph's Beyoncé still can't slay Mikey Day's 'Hot Ones' spicy wings
- Red, yellow, green ... and white? Smarter vehicles could mean big changes for the traffic light
- Save Up to 81% Off Stylish Swimsuits & Cover-Ups at Nordstrom Rack: Billabong, Tommy Bahama & More
Recommendation
-
NCT DREAM enters the 'DREAMSCAPE': Members on new album, its concept and songwriting
-
Hilary Duff Gives Candid Look at “Pure Glamour” of Having Newborn Baby Townes
-
Babies R Us to open shops inside 200 Kohl's stores in the US: See full list of stores
-
A Republican operative is running for Congress in Georgia with Trump’s blessing. Will it be enough?
-
GM recalls 460k cars for rear wheel lock-up: Affected models include Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac
-
Denver Nuggets change complexion of series with Game 3 demolition of Minnesota Timberwolves
-
Putin in Cabinet shakeup moves to replace defense minister as he starts his 5th term in office
-
Honolulu agrees to 4-month window to grant or deny gun carrying licenses after lawsuit over delays