Ridley Scott Says Paul Mescal Will Be in Upcoming Beatles Films
Director Ridley Scott may have just spilled the beans about a key casting choice in the upcoming Beatles biopic series.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Scott took part in a conversation event with director Christopher Nolan following a screening of Gladiator II at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles on Tuesday (Dec. 10). Paul Mescal stars in Gladiator II alongside Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal.
Scott shared that his next film project is a thriller called The Dog Stars. Mescal was reported to be starring in that film, too. However, when Nolan asked Scott to confirm Mescal’s involvement in The Dog Stars, Scott said, “Yes. Maybe. Paul is actually stacked up, doing the Beatles next. So I may have to let him go.”
This unexpected reveal seems to align with numerous outlets who reported in June that Mescal was set to play Paul McCartney. Also reportedly cast in the new Beatles biopic series are Harris Dickinson and Charlie Rowe, who will play John Lennon and George Harrison, respectively.
As for who will be playing Ringo Starr, it was initially reported that Barry Keoghan was cast as the famed drummer. While an official statement hasn’t been released about casting, the actual Ringo Starr recently told Entertainment Tonight that Keoghan was playing him in the series.
Starr said of Keoghan’s casting, “I think it’s great. I believe he’s somewhere taking drum lessons, and I hope not too many.”
Details on the Beatles Biopic Series
The Beatles biopic series was first announced in June.
Per TheBeatles.com, the biopic movie series will be broken up into four separate feature films. Each film will tell the story of the legendary band from the perspective of each member. Tentatively, these films will receive a global theatrical release in 2027.
The series is the first time Apple Corps Ltd., The Beatles and their families/estates have agreed to such a project. This project has also acquired music rights permissions. The concept of this series was thought of by director Sam Mendes. He will be helming the films in a joint venture with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Neal Street Productions.
In a statement, Mendes said, “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.”
