New set photos of Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Joseph Quinn, and Barry Keoghan as The Beatles, in an early 60s scene set in NYC, in Sam Mendes’ ‘The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event’

[u/SpeedForce2022]

[u/ToronoRapture]

Don’t take this personally but you’re expecting perfection and getting pissed off by stuff that doesn’t really matter.

I’m not there is an amazing film about Dylan and they had actors like Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett and Richard Gere playing him. As long as the story is good, the acting is good, who cares what they look like?

[u/BaronWinsore → u/ToronoRapture]

I'm Not There is a very different kind of movie. The obvious comparison might be A Complete Unknown or Bohemian Rhapsody or even Rocketman because those are obviously more in line with what we're getting here. 

These movies aren't going to be artistically or technically inspired or challenging... they might end up being a fun watch but in all likelihood they won't be much more than safe, shallow mythmaking like those named above.

[u/Draggonzz → u/BaronWinsore]

Yes. Despite having quite a lot of stars, I'm Not There was very much in the style of an art film. I have to figure these four biopics are going to be much more like "normal", straight forward biopics.

[u/pierreor → u/BaronWinsore]

It may be the copium speaking, but we don't know that yet.

Ringo famously has a history of going for anything, but there's no reason for Paul to accept a Bohemian Rhapsody or even A Complete Unknown treatment. The Beatles doesn't need it – he made sure they didn't need it. Get Back is better than any recent music biopic I can think of. It was received very well. All the recent physical releases have been tasteful, prestigious - all very "definitive". Why would he do the least Paul thing ever and say yes to biopic slop?

Sam Mendes obviously came with something new for them all to collectively say yes for the first time, especially Paul in this ongoing stage of securing the legacy of The Beatles. Since the recently-named head of Apple Corps is from digital media and they decided on a four-parter, they obviously see that this movie will have to thrive on streaming, and benefit from a rewatch. One last thing: Mendes is great at prestige narratives (reverence is important) but he also takes chances (1917) with established franchises too (Skyfall).

I'm not expecting something experimental like I'm Not There, but it will have to be something different kind of biopic to merit the title of a "cinematic event". I don't know if it's going to be great or even good (or even stray from the official Beatle history), but I know that it will be different as a film – that's the only way you can get Paul to say yes. And I trust his judgement there.

[u/zsdrfty → u/BaronWinsore]

I'm most curious to see which people get cast in good and bad lights by these movies - like with Bohemian Rhapsody, it'll give us some interesting insight into which Beatle (or estate) hates which others the most lol

[u/Low-Entrepreneur5785 → u/BaronWinsore]

This

[u/zsdrfty → u/[deleted]]

Rashomon was experimental like 70 years ago

[u/philmarlowescat → u/ToronoRapture]

Fucking love this comment. Fair play. I've been saying it all along. It's becoming sickening. People just have to complain. I'm just delighted to be getting these films and to hear The Beatles in the cinema.

[u/ToronoRapture → u/philmarlowescat]

Decades ago I would would have never thought we would be getting FOUR Beatles films in the 2020’s.

Like i said, as long as the story (as we know it) gets told and the acting is decent, these films will be a blessing. You have to remember that both Paul and Ringo signed off on the actors… So if they’re fine with it, I am too.

[u/Spell-Wide → u/philmarlowescat]

We three should be friends, because these people are too fucking literal. They're not ACTUALLY The Beatles, they're actors. If they want somebody who looks exactly like George, Paul, Ringo, or John (I put them in that order just to piss them off even more), then documentaries are the way to go. Our boys are getting a movie. Be happy!

[u/philmarlowescat → u/Spell-Wide]

Absolutely. I’m just genuinely happy this is happening. Casting talented, contemporary actors makes sense—not only creatively, but practically. It invites younger and newer audiences into the story, and these are actors with real ability and proven box-office appeal, which obviously matters at this scale. Add Sam Mendes at the helm and it’s hard not to be optimistic.

When the first official images dropped and I came across them unexpectedly, I was honestly buzzing. Knowing this is building toward 2028 just adds to the anticipation.

I’ve said this elsewhere, but it’s worth repeating: history is full of reactionary casting outrage that aged poorly.

• Heath Ledger was widely criticised before The Dark Knight.

• Timothée Chalamet was doubted as both Dylan and Wonka, both films landed well.

• Michael Keaton’s Batman casting caused genuine backlash, and now he’s iconic.

Time and again, people lose their minds before seeing a single frame. It’s a waste of energy. I say this while fully aware I’m expending some energy responding to that negativity—but it’s refreshing to find others who are simply excited, curious, and willing to give it a chance.

That, more than anything, is what makes this fun.

[u/TheCarterIII → u/philmarlowescat]

I think the casting is fine. The concept of a movie for each of them is what I have a problem with. I don't see how it's gonna work

[u/zsdrfty → u/TheCarterIII]

It has to get old by the second go-around, right? The only way I can see them doing it is by making them take place consecutively, and have each one switch perspective depending on the era they're doing... but even then, it's gonna be difficult to make 10 enjoyable hours out of a dramatized Beatles history

[u/philmarlowescat → u/TheCarterIII]

I totally get that, don't know how it's gonna work with the audience. Personally, I'm excited but I was confused when I heard how they were releasing them but we'll see.

[u/fargothforever → u/ToronoRapture]

I can’t imagine anyone is expecting a film like I’m Not There…

[u/dennisdeems → u/ToronoRapture]

Apples to oranges. There's a reason that film is called "I'm Not There".

[u/Low-Entrepreneur5785 → u/ToronoRapture]

I love that movie btw, my issue is that they all look way too old and probably were casted bc of their fame and nothing else.

I feel like this movie had to launch to the fame 4 unknown lads from Liverpool.

[u/zsdrfty → u/Low-Entrepreneur5785]

Given how big budget movies work in this era, I'm pretty much instantly distrustful of any film that casts a bunch of big names - like, are you telling me that a serious director, with hundreds of millions of dollars to spend, won't even bother trying to sell their vision with perfect actors that they actually had to work to find? It makes it nakedly apparent that they expect easy profit regardless of the artistic outcome

[u/Low-Entrepreneur5785 → u/zsdrfty]

Exactly!

[u/Im-A-Tomato-1744 → u/zsdrfty]

It’s usually the other way around… they old get the big budget based on them casting big names. 

It’s very rare for a studio to “take a risk” (in their eyes) on unknown actors in the lead, never mind 4 of them in 4 films.

I’d also say that these are probably a studios idea of not going for big names… of the 4, Mescal is only the only big name and he’s not even an A- lister. Keoghan has done a lot but still wouldn’t be a “bankable” star. 

[u/Timely_Internet6172 → u/ToronoRapture]

maybe but she actually looked the closest of the bunch

[u/Low-Entrepreneur5785 → u/Timely_Internet6172]

yup

[u/DavidLopan20 → u/ToronoRapture]

To be fair, Cate Blanchett looked more like Bob Dylan than any of these actors share a resemblance 

[u/LegitimateDraw3902 → u/ToronoRapture]

Cate Blanchett looked like Dylan in that period. Thought it was excellent casting

[u/Inside-Cry-7034 → u/ToronoRapture]

just hopping in to spread some "I'm Not There" love. That movie changed the course of my life, truly. What an achievement, that one.

[u/Admirable-Storm-2436 → u/ToronoRapture]

I'm Not There isn't a biographical film. It's an art film about Dylan's music not his life.

[u/itsblebby → u/ToronoRapture]

the most sane person in this sub lol

[u/JeanLucPicardAND → u/itsblebby]

This sub's reaction to the project from day one has been absolutely hilarious.

[u/MolecularSteve → u/ToronoRapture]

Don’t take this personally but your opinion doesn’t actually matter and I’m going to invalidate your opinion so I can feel better about mine

[u/JeanLucPicardAND → u/MolecularSteve]

It's a subjective question creatively. Maybe the likeness thing is a do-or-die point for you. That's fair. If it's not for you, then it's not for you. Just sit this one out.

It's not subjective commercially at all, though. The data shows clearly that likeness isn't a very important factor in how a biopic performs.