Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, who directed two of the highest-grossing James Bond movies, has set his sights on another prestigious British cultural icon: the Beatles.
The director has revealed plans to create four individual fictional movies, each focusing on a different member of the band. This project has been approved by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as the families of John Lennon and George Harrison. It will be the first time that they, along with rights holders Apple, have given permission for a scripted film to use their life stories and music.
Mendes clarified that all four movies will come out in 2027 and share interconnected plots, each from the perspective of a different band member. According to a statement from the press, the films will have a unique and pioneering “dating cadence.”
He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share the story of the most legendary rock group ever and is eager to push the boundaries of what defines a cinematic experience.
The announcement of writers and cast members has not yet been made.
Pippa Harris, the producer for Mendes, disclosed that the director came up with the concept over a year ago. She praised his creative genius and ability to convince Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sean Lennon, and Olivia Harrison to participate in the project, as they responded with great warmth and enthusiasm upon hearing about it.
Deadline quoted her saying, “I am most thrilled that Sam has the creative liberty to explore the individual lives of the Beatles without any restrictions or pressure from the band to portray a specific ‘authorized’ version of their journey to fame.”
Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, stated that modern theatrical experiences should make a significant cultural impact. Sam’s ambitious and grand concept achieves exactly that and more. By bringing together his talented film production team with the music and stories of four influential young men who altered the course of history, this movie will undoubtedly captivate audiences worldwide. We are extremely thankful to all involved and eagerly anticipate breaking boundaries with Sam’s distinct artistic vision.
The band known as The Beatles came together in 1960 and had a significant impact on the world of music. They eventually disbanded in 1970 after releasing multiple successful albums and hit songs. Along with their musical releases, they also produced five films closely related to their groundbreaking albums, starting with A Hard Day’s Night in 1964 and concluding with Let It Be in 1970. These films were generally well-received by audiences, with the exception of Magical Mystery Tour in 1967.
Many films have been created about the group, such as Ron Howard’s The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years (2016) and Peter Jackson’s highly praised three-part eight-hour film released in 2021, Get Back.
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There have been approximately 18 films made about the band, both for the big and small screens. The most highly praised ones include Backbeat from 1994, which centers around former guitarist Stuart Sutcliffe, and Nowhere Boy from 2009, which depicts John Lennon’s teenage years.
In 2019, Now and Then was released, supposedly the last song to include all four main Beatles. It included McCartney, Harrison, and Starr playing along with an audio track recorded by John Lennon before his death in 1980.
Mendes entered the world in 1965, during the time when Help! was dominating the music charts in both the UK and US. His latest movie, Empire of Light, was a personal drama that took place in the early 1980s and incorporated a significant amount of modern two-tone music in its soundtrack and storyline.
The first movie he directed, American Beauty, received five Academy Awards in 2000, including best picture, director, and leading actor (for Kevin Spacey). His two James Bond movies, Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015), hold the record for highest box office earnings in the franchise, with the former also receiving widespread critical praise.
The war film 1917, which was shot in a single take, received 10 nominations at the 2020 Oscars. It won three awards, but did not win the major categories, losing to Parasite.
Mendes has had a successful stage career, having directed well-known revivals of beloved musicals such as Cabaret (1993), Oliver! (1994), Company (1995), and Gypsy (2003). He also directed the original production of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical in the West End in 2013. Recently, he opened his latest production, Jez Butterworth’s new play The Hills of California, in London.
Source: theguardian.com
