The project, backed by Sony Pictures and approved by the band’s estates, stars Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, Barry Keoghan, and Harris Dickinson as the members.
The production team behind Sam Mendes’ upcoming four-film Beatles biopic, The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, has been spotted filming a recreation of the band’s iconic Abbey Road album cover in London, with the actors playing the Fab Four seen crossing the famous pedestrian crossing. The scene, which mirrors the 1969 photo that became one of music’s most recognizable images, was captured in a video shared on social media, showing Harris Dickinson as John Lennon leading the walk, followed by Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.
Production Details and Cast
Beatles film recreates iconic Abbey Road album cover
The film series, announced in February 2024, marks the first time the Beatles and their estates have granted permission for a theatrical feature film about the band. Mendes, who will direct all four installments, described the project as the first binge-able theatrical experience during CinemaCon 2025. The cast includes Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, James Norton as Brian Epstein, and David Morrissey as Jim McCartney, Paul’s father. Additional actors include Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey, Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono, Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd, Harry Lloyd as George Martin, Bobby Schofield as Neil Aspinall, Daniel Hoffmann-Gill as Mal Evans, Arthur Darvill as Derek Taylor, and Adam Pally as Allen Klein. Sony Pictures chief Tom Rothman confirmed that principal photography will take a year, with the films set for an April 2028 release.
Historical Context of the Abbey Road Cover
The original Abbey Road album cover was photographed on August 8, 1969, outside EMI Studios in London. Photographer Iain Macmillan took six stills from a stepladder, with the final image featuring the band walking in single file across the crosswalk. The album’s working title was initially “Everest,” after a cigarette brand smoked by engineer Geoff Emerick. The film’s recreation, spotted this week, involved approximately 80 extras and vintage vehicles, according to Deadline. The original photo was taken after an initial idea to travel to Nepal for a photograph was abandoned.
Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan Spotted Filming Beatles Movie at
Release Timeline and Studio Backing
Sony Pictures is distributing the films, which will each focus on a different Beatles member’s perspective. The project has secured access to the band’s full music catalog after Apple Corps granted music rights for the scripted films. Variety reported that the exact release format—whether all four films will debut simultaneously or weekly—remains undisclosed. The films’ logline, Each man has his own story, but together they are legendary,
was shared during CinemaCon 2025. Mendes’ project, produced through his Neal Street Productions and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is the first to receive life rights and music permissions from the Beatles and their estates.
What’s Next for the Project
Sam Mendes’ Beatles Biopic Recreates 'Abbey Road' Album Cover
With filming underway, the focus shifts to the final release strategy and how the biopic will balance individual narratives with the band’s collective legacy. The project’s approval by McCartney and Starr, along with the estates of Lennon and Harrison, underscores its significance as a definitive cinematic portrayal of the Beatles. Fans await further details on the film’s soundtrack and how it will incorporate the band’s 1969 album Abbey Road. The films are scheduled to premiere in April 2028, though the exact date has yet to be revealed.
The four-film series will feature interconnected narratives, with each installment told from the perspective of a different Beatles member. The project’s scale and access to the Beatles’ legacy mark a historic collaboration between the band’s estates and Hollywood. The recreation of the Abbey Road cover highlights the film’s attention to detail, as actors reenacted the iconic moment that has become a symbol of the band’s enduring cultural impact.
Additional cast members include Leanne Best as John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi, and Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono. The film also features supporting roles from actors such as Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd, Harry Lloyd as George Martin, and David Morrissey as Jim McCartney. The project’s release in April 2028 is expected to generate significant anticipation among fans and industry observers alike.
The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event is set to debut in April 2028, with Sony Pictures handling distribution. The films will be produced under Mendes’ Neal Street Productions, with the director overseeing all four installments. The project’s unique structure, combining individual perspectives with a unified narrative, aims to provide a comprehensive look at the Beatles’ legacy. As filming continues, the production team remains focused on delivering a cinematic experience that honors the band’s history while introducing their story to new audiences.
