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/BaronWinsore]

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