Sam Mendes has announced four separate biopics dedicated to the lives of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, marking the beginning of the Beatles Cinematic Universe.
The Beatles, one of the most influential bands in music history, have appeared in many films and documentaries over the years. Notable documentaries include the controversial Let It Be and its reimagining by Peter Jackson in the three-part Get Back. Other major works are Ron Howard's The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years and the eight-part Anthology series from 1995.
During their active years, The Beatles starred as fictional versions of themselves in classics like A Hard Day's Night (1964), the colorful Help! (1965), and Magical Mystery Tour. The animated Yellow Submarine featured impressionists voicing the band members.
The band's early days and Stuart Sutcliffe's life were depicted in Backbeat, while John Lennon's youth was explored in Sam Taylor-Wood's 2009 film Nowhere Boy.
A unique take on Beatles’ influence appeared in Danny Boyle and Richard Curtis's film Yesterday, which features a world where The Beatles never existed but their music lives on.
Following the success of high-profile music biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, Elvis, and the upcoming Michael, a comprehensive Beatles biopic was widely anticipated.
"Sam Mendes announces four separate Beatles biopics covering the lives of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Welcome to the launch of the Beatles Cinematic Universe."
Author's summary: Sam Mendes’s ambitious project to create four biopics on each member of The Beatles inaugurates a new cinematic universe, reflecting the enduring cultural impact of the band.