For the first time ever, the story of The Beatles is going to be turned into scripted film \u2013 and not just one movie, but four, each one from the perspective of one of the members of the legendary British rock band.<\/p>\n
Set for theatrical release in 2027, the four movies will be directed by Sam Mendes, known for his work as director on American Beauty<\/em>, Road To Perdition<\/em>, Revolutionary Road<\/em> and the 2015 James Bond flick Spectre<\/em>, among others.<\/p>\n The unprecedented four-movie project was reportedly conceived of by Mendes, who made the news public on Tuesday (February 20), in conjunction with Sony Pictures Entertainment<\/strong> and Apple Corps Ltd.<\/strong>, the multimedia company formed by the four members of The Beatles in 1968 to oversee the band\u2019s creative and business interests. The company administers the band\u2019s recorded catalog and film, theatrical and book publishing rights.<\/p>\n Paul McCartney<\/strong> and Ringo Starr<\/strong>, along with the families of John Lennon<\/strong> and George Harrison<\/strong>, have all granted full life story and music rights for the films.<\/p>\n Sony Pictures is staying mum on the specific release schedule for the movies, but promises it will be \u201cinnovative and groundbreaking.\u201d<\/p>\n The announcement comes in the wake of a number of successful movies centered around musical artists in recent years, including the 2018 Queen<\/strong> biopic Bohemian Rhapsody<\/em>, which helped cement the British band as a perennial fan favorite<\/a>, and Taylor Swift<\/strong>\u2019s The Eras Tour<\/em>, which has become the highest-grossing concert and documentary film<\/a> in history.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m 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.”<\/p>\n Sam Mendes, director<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Mendes will direct all four of the Beatles movies, and will also co-produce them with Pippa Harris and Julie Pastor of Neal Street Productions<\/strong>, the production company Mendes co-founded with Harris and Caro Newling in 2003.<\/p>\n Sony Pictures will provide financing and worldwide distribution.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m 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,\u201d Mendes said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cWe intend this to be a uniquely thrilling, and epic cinematic experience: four films, told from four different perspectives which tell a single story about the most celebrated band of all time,\u201d Harris said.<\/p>\n \u201cTo have The Beatles\u2019 and Apple Corps\u2019 blessing to do this is an immense privilege. From our first meeting with Tom Rothman<\/strong> [Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures\u2019 Motion Picture Group] and Elizabeth Gabler<\/strong> [President of Sony Pictures\u2019 3000 Pictures<\/strong>], it was clear that they shared both our passion and ambition for this project, and we can\u2019t think of a more perfect home than Sony Pictures.\u201d<\/p>\n Jeff Jones<\/strong>, CEO of Apple Corps, said the company is \u201cdelighted to collaborate with Sam, Pippa and Julie to explore each Beatle\u2019s unique story and to bring them together in a suitably captivating and innovative way. Sony Pictures\u2019 enthusiastic support, championing the project\u2019s scope and creative vision from the start, has been invaluable for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTheatrical movie events today must be culturally seismic. Sam\u2019s daring, large-scale idea is that and then some.”<\/p>\n Tom Rothman, Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cI know I speak for our CEO Tony Vinciquerra<\/strong>, who was instrumental in making this happen, and every Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group colleague around the world when I say: \u2018yeah, yeah, yeah!\u2019\u201d Rothman said.<\/p>\n \u201cTheatrical movie events today must be culturally seismic. Sam\u2019s daring, large-scale idea is that and then some. Pairing his premiere filmmaking team, with the music and the stories of four young men who changed the world, will rock audiences all over the globe. We are deeply grateful to all parties and look forward ourselves to breaking some rules with Sam\u2019s uniquely artistic vision.\u201d<\/p>\n Last year, Apple Corps worked with Capitol Records<\/strong> and Universal Music Enterprises<\/strong> to release Now And Then<\/em>, a song that John Lennon wrote and recorded onto a boombox in his New York apartment in 1978, two years before he was assassinated.<\/p>\n Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr relied on AI technology to salvage the song, which could not previously be released due to the low sound quality.<\/p>\n