Harris Dickinson is set to portray John Lennon in a four-film Beatles biopic project that will chart the band's rise from working-class origins to Beatlemania and global cultural impact. The ensemble also features Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, with Sam Mendes directing at least one installment.
The quartet will be released in the same month, according to the producers, and the project has been described by Sony's film boss Tom Rothman as "the first bingeable theatrical experience." Mendes appeared at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas to unveil the plan and said the four films will together present a deeper look at the band than a single feature could.
Dickinson has drawn a parallel between his own working-class upbringing in east London and Lennon's early life, noting that his father was born in the north of England near Liverpool — a background that informs his approach to the role. The 29-year-old actor has built a track record in high-profile titles, including the erotic thriller Babygirl with Nicole Kidman and the wrestling drama The Iron Claw.
Dickinson previously disclosed in an interview with The Times that an unnamed co-star once used class as a cudgel on set, describing him as "a wanker, middle to upper class" during a game in which colleagues guessed who was being imitated by asking questions. The questions touched on everyday details, including his favorite food and television shows—answers that apparently included fish and chips and Love Island.
When asked to identify the offender, Dickinson dodged a direct name, though he hinted at possible suspects in readers' comments, telling The Times: "No, it’s not Ralph. Ralph’s a sweetheart." He suggested some theories pointed to Ralph Fiennes or Robert Lindsay, without elaborating further. He said the moment underscored ongoing tensions around class on film sets.
The Beatles project was announced in April, with Mendes underscoring that the venture would not be a single portrait but four distinct films released in the same month. Mendes told audiences at CinemaCon that the plan aims to offer a more nuanced understanding of the Fab Four. Sony’s Rothman framed it as a milestone in theatrical programming.
Dickinson arrives at the Lennon role with a growing roster of leading parts. In addition to Babygirl and The Iron Claw, he has built a reputation for versatility that includes drama and genre projects. The Beatles films are still in development, and no formal release date beyond April 2028 has been set. The four-film structure signals a break from conventional biopics and reflects a broader appetite for interconnected, event-style releases.
The project also raises questions about casting and narrative approach as Mendes and the producers balance historical accuracy with a cinematic reimagining of the Beatles’ journey. The quartet will likely explore the group's evolution, the social currents of the 1960s, and the personal dynamics that fueled their music and cultural influence.
As the films move forward, audiences will watch Dickinson step into Lennon’s famously laconic wit and caustic humor, while a star-studded supporting cast navigates the others' lives. The four-film slate, still without finalized dates beyond the 2028 window, promises a comprehensive, bingeable portrait of a band whose legacy continues to echo across music and film.