Beatlemania is officially back — this time on the big screen. The official X handle of The Beatles has unveiled new casting details for The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, directed by Oscar-winner Sam Mendes. The caption read: “New casting announced for The Beatles - A Four-Film Cinematic Event, directed by Sam Mendes. Farhan Akhtar will star as Ravi Shankar, Lucy Boynton will star as Jane Asher, Morfydd Clark will star as Cynthia (Powell) Lennon, Harry Lawtey will star as Stuart Sutcliffe, In cinemas April 2028.” Cue the collective scream from fans worldwide.
The newly announced cast adds emotional depth to the band’s legendary story. Farhan Akhtar will portray Ravi Shankar, the iconic sitar maestro who profoundly influenced George Harrison’s spiritual and musical journey. Lucy Boynton steps into the role of Jane Asher, Paul McCartney’s early muse during the band’s meteoric rise. Meanwhile, Morfydd Clark will portray Cynthia Lennon, and Harry Lawtey will play Stuart Sutcliffe, the band’s original bassist from their raw Hamburg days.
This ambitious cinematic universe builds on earlier casting reveals: Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. The four interconnected films aim to tell parallel origin stories, chronicling the band’s journey from gritty Hamburg gigs to global superstardom. Crucially, the project is authorized by Apple Corps and the surviving Beatles, lending it a rare stamp of authenticity.
Fan reactions have been swift and passionate. Many applauded Boynton’s casting, noting her musical biopic experience in Bohemian Rhapsody, while others debated whether the actors’ ages align with the band’s youthful 1960s breakthrough. It’s a tricky balance — capturing the raw innocence of their early twenties while delivering performances layered with the emotional complexity the Beatles’ legacy demands.
With an April 2028 theatrical release set, anticipation is already sky-high. More than just another music biopic, this four-part saga promises to dissect friendship, fame, love, rivalry, and reinvention. If done right, it won’t just retell history — it could redefine how music legends are brought to life on screen. One thing’s certain: the long and winding road to 2028 just got a lot more exciting.