Sam Mendes to Direct Four Beatles Biopics

EN brief: [영화읽기] 샘 멘데스의 비틀즈 영화화와 전기 영화들 (culture) + 1 glossary term.

Summary

Director Sam Mendes, known for '1917' and 'Skyfall', has announced an ambitious cinematic project involving the legendary British band, The Beatles. Unlike traditional biopics that condense a band's history into a single film, this project will consist of four separate feature films.

Each movie will be told from the perspective of a different member: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. This marks the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film project.

Sony Pictures Entertainment will finance and distribute the films, which are currently slated for a global theatrical release in 2027. The strategy for the release is expected to be innovative, though specific details on whether they will debut simultaneously have not been finalized.

This massive undertaking reflects a growing trend in the film industry to expand biographical storytelling into multi-part cinematic universes, providing a deeper look into cultural icons.

Full story (translated & rewritten)

According to reports from Incheon Today and global entertainment outlets, Sam Mendes is set to helm a groundbreaking series of films centered on The Beatles. The project is unique because it seeks to capture the distinct personality and journey of each member rather than treating the band as a single entity. By creating four distinct narratives, Mendes aims to explore the internal dynamics and individual growth of the Fab Four.

The production has secured the blessing of the surviving members, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as the families of the late John Lennon and George Harrison. This level of cooperation is unprecedented for a scripted production, as the band has historically been very protective of their legacy and intellectual property.

While the specific casting for the roles of the four musicians has not been officially confirmed in the initial reports, the industry is already buzzing with speculation. The challenge of finding actors who can embody such recognizable figures while also possessing the musicality required for the roles is significant.

Mendes, who will produce alongside Pippa Harris and Julie Pastor, expressed that he is honored to tell the story of the greatest rock band of all time. The films are expected to intersect, offering a 360-degree view of the band's meteoric rise and eventual breakup from four different vantage points.

Context

• The Beatles previously appeared in films like 'A Hard Day's Night' and 'Help!', but those were musical comedies starring the members themselves, not scripted biopics.
• Sam Mendes won an Academy Award for Best Director for 'American Beauty' and has a strong track record with both high-stakes action and intimate character studies.
• The 'biopic' genre has seen a massive resurgence recently with the success of films like 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'Oppenheimer'.

Source

• Link: https://www.incheontoday.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=315430