BEATLES MAGAZINE: VISUALIZING THE SUPPORTING ACTORS FOR THE BEATLES BIOPICS

Friday, 24 October 2025

VISUALIZING THE SUPPORTING ACTORS FOR THE BEATLES BIOPICS

Sam Mendes's ambitious four-film project—each movie telling the story of one of the Fab Four—is steadily approaching, with an anticipated release around 2028. With legendary writers like Jez Butterworth and Jack Thorne on board, full access to the band's life stories and their essential song catalogue, and Mendes directing all of them, these movies are poised to be a massive cultural event.

The core cast is set: Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison

Key supporting roles are also being filled: Saoirse Ronan is confirmed as Linda McCartney, and Mia McKenna-Bruce will play Maureen Starkey. Furthermore, Anna Sawai is "circling" the role of Yoko Ono, and Aimee Lou Wood is being considered for Pattie Boyd. The crucial role of the band's early manager and "fifth Beatle," Brian Epstein, has been locked in, with James Norton taking the part.

However, a wealth of other significant figures from the Beatles' universe remain to be cast. Here is a selection of suggested actors for some of the band's most famous friends, collaborators, and key figures.

CharacterSuggested/ ActorRationale

Eric Clapton /Tom Holland

To play the iconic guitarist who famously played on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," you need star power and a visual similarity to a young Clapton.

Holland has the charisma to capture the man who eventually won over Pattie Boyd from George Harrison.

George Martin/Cillian Murphy

The influential producer who shaped the sound of the Beatles' studio work

Murphy's ability to convey a reserved brilliance with hidden warmth makes him an ideal choice for the man sometimes referred to as "the fifth Beatle."

Bob Dylan/Robert Pattinson

As the counter-cultural trickster figure who reportedly introduced the group to can**bis and challenged them to deepen their lyrical craft. Pattinson's quirky, compelling presence is perfect for this pivotal role.

Mal Evans/Harry Melling

The beloved roadie, assistant, and general factotum for the band.

Melling, known for his work in Harry Potter and other diverse roles, has the right blend of vulnerability and unassuming comedic timing for the warm, steady presence Mal provided.

Billy Preston/Ashton Sanders

The young, gifted American keyboardist—one of the few outside musicians to get an official credit on a Beatles song ("Get Back").

Sanders, who starred in Moonlight, could channel the naïve genius of the musician.

Pete Best/Harry Lawtey

The band's first drummer, fired by Epstein before they achieved global fame.

Lawtey, with his role in Industry, can balance the initial swagger (Best was considered the best-looking Beatle early on) with the subsequent sense of being sidelined by history.

Phil Spector/Bill Skarsgård

The intense and erratic super-producer who worked on Let It Be.

Given Spector's notorious eccentricity and later murder conviction, Skarsgård's experience with unhinged roles (like Pennywise) makes him a compelling, if chilling, choice.

Ed Sullivan/Benny Safdie

The host of The Ed Sullivan Show, whose program served as the platform for the Beatles' explosive U.S. debut, igniting Beatlemania.

Safdie, as a director and actor, is adept at capturing on-screen hysteria and old-school theatricality.

Ravi Shankar/Dev Patel

The esteemed Indian sitarist and teacher who became a profound friend and collaborator to George Harrison.

Patel has the required experience and vigor to play the influential master who was already established in his career.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi/Sanjeev Bhaskar

The founder of Transcendental Meditation, who led the Beatles' famed 1968 trip to India.

Bhaskar, an established comedian and actor, could find the balance between the guru's gravity and the unintentional comedy that sometimes surrounded him.

🟠Would you like to support the page with a donation? Enter HERE