Sam Mendes, the Oscar-winning director of two of the most successful ever James Bond films, is to tackle another multimillion pound British cultural institution: the Beatles.
The director stated that he plans to produce 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 is significant as it is the first time that all four members and the rights holders at Apple have given permission for a feature film based on their life stories and music.
Mendes clarified that the four movies will all debut in 2027 and share interrelated narratives, each from the perspective of a different band member. According to a statement from the press, the “romantic timeline” of the films will be revolutionary and pioneering.
“I am extremely privileged to have the opportunity to share the story of the most legendary rock band, and I am eager to push the boundaries of what is considered a cinematic experience,” he stated.
The announcement of writers and cast members has not yet been made.
Mendes’s producer Pippa Harris explained that the director had the idea more than a year ago, “and it’s a testament to his creative brilliance and powers of persuasion that Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sean Lennon and Olivia Harrison responded with such warmth and enthusiasm as soon as he spoke with them”.
She stated to Deadline, “The most thrilling aspect is for Sam to have the liberty to explore the personal stories of each member of the Beatles without any restrictions or pressure from the band to present an approved version of their journey to fame.”
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Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, stated that movie events in theaters must have a significant cultural impact. Sam’s bold and ambitious concept meets this criteria and more. With his team of skilled filmmakers and the inclusion of music and stories of four influential young men, the film is sure to captivate audiences worldwide. All parties involved are appreciated and the company is excited to push boundaries with Sam’s innovative artistic vision.
The Beatles formed in 1960 and changed the course of musical history before breaking up in 1970. As well as their numerous albums and hit singles, they made five features to tie in with seismic albums, beginning with A Hard Day’s Night in 1964 and ending with Let It Be (1970), all of which were well received, aside from 1967’s Magical Mystery Tour.
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, Get Back, released in 2021.
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There have been approximately 18 biographical films made about the band, both in movie theaters and on television. Among these, the two most highly praised are Backbeat from 1994, which centers on former guitarist Stuart Sutcliffe, and Nowhere Boy from 2009, which tells the story of John Lennon’s teenage years.
In 2019, a song called Now and Then was released, supposedly the last one to feature all four main members of The Beatles. It included performances by McCartney, Harrison, and Starr, who added their own touches to an audio track recorded by John Lennon before he was killed in 1980.
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Mendes came into the world in 1965, during a time when Help! was dominating the music charts in both the UK and US. His latest movie, Empire of Light, was a personal story set in the 1980s and it heavily incorporated the popular two-tone music of that era into its soundtrack and storyline.
In 2000, his first movie, American Beauty, received five Academy Awards, including the awards for best picture, director, and leading actor (Kevin Spacey). His two James Bond films, Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015), hold the record for highest earnings in the franchise. Skyfall is also highly praised by critics.
The 2020 Oscars saw 1917, a war movie with a single take, receive 10 nominations and win three awards. However, it was ultimately defeated by Parasite in the major categories.
Mendes has an impressive history in theatre, having directed well-known revivals of beloved musicals such as Cabaret (1993), Oliver! (1994), Company (1995), and Gypsy (2003). In 2013, he also served as director for the debut West End performance of the musical adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Source: theguardian.com
