With a little help from casting directors and the rumor mill, the stars of the forthcoming separate Beatle biopics are coming into view — and could now include two actors from Gladiator II. According to Deadline, Joseph Quinn, who plays Emperor Geta in that film and is also known for Stranger Things, has signed on to play George Harrison in one of director Sam Mendes’ non-doc films on the lives of each Beatle.
Although nothing has been officially confirmed, it appears likely that Paul Mescal (Lucius in Gladiator II) will portray Paul McCartney in the Macca film. As per Ringo Starr, Barry Keoghan (The Batman, The Banshees of Inisherin, Saltburn, the upcoming Peaky Blinders film) will play the drummer in that installment. Asked at a recent premiere if he’d been cast in the John Lennon film, Harris Dickinson (Where the Crawdads Sing, The Iron Claw) would only say, “It would be amazing to do that. I think the idea of Sam teaming up to do something like that would be incredibly exciting. … It would be cool.”
Early this year, Mendes confirmed reports that he, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, would be undertaking these projects, which would be released simultaneously in 2027. “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.
Other details about their films — the order in which they’ll be rolled out, the precise period of time each covers — have not yet been announced. Reps for for Mendes and the Harrison estate did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the Quinn casting.
What’s clear is that the films are part of a renewed push to reinvigorate the Beatles brand, which has included 2011’s Get Back, the reissued original Let It Be film, and the current Beatles ’64. In related George news, Olivia Harrison, his widow and overseer of his estate, confirmed to Rolling Stone in September that plans for a documentary on Harrison’s 1974 tour (which included a set by Ravi Shankar) are still underway — once the original 16mm footage shot onstage and backstage is transferred for best quality.
“It would be interesting,” Harrison said. “It’s a record of the concerts but also [promoter] Bill Graham sitting there counting money and the Indian musicians eating pizza and Jim Keltner and the musicians doing amazing time signature things. So we’re trying to get that done.” No completion or release date information was announced.
