Following months of speculation, The Beatles‘ Ringo Starr has confirmed that Barry Keoghan is being eyed to play him in the forthcoming series of Beatles films that Sam Mendes will direct for Sony.
When asked about the prospect by Entertainment Tonight, the iconic drummer said, “I think it’s great. I believe he’s somewhere taking drum lessons, and I hope not too many.”
We were first to report on plans for the quartet of Beatles films back in February, and casting rumors have swirled ever since. While unconfirmed, it’s believed Paul Mescal is circling the role of Paul McCartney, with Harris Dickinson to play John Lennon, and Joseph Quinn to portray George Harrison. No cast deals for the film are currently in place, we’re told.
Mendes’ vision for the Beatles film series is to make four separate, but interconnected theatrical films — one from the point of view of each member of the band. He’ll direct all four, though who is scripting each, and in what order they’ll shoot is not yet clear. This marks the first time that Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles – McCartney, Starr and the families of Lennon and Harrison – have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film.
Mendes will also produce via his Neal Street Productions, along with Pippa Harris and Julie Pastor, with Jeff Jones exec producing for Apple Corps Ltd.
Starr joined The Beatles in 1962, replacing their original drummer, Pete Best. His drumming shaped iconic tracks like “Come Together” and “Ticket to Ride,” and he also occasionally took lead vocals on tracks like “With a Little Help from My Friends,” “Yellow Submarine,” and “Octopus’s Garden,” the latter of which he also wrote. The musician went on to a successful solo career after the group disbanded in the 1970s.
Coming off his starring role opposite Jacob Elordi in Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn, Keoghan can currently be seen starring opposite Franz Rogowski in Andrea Arnold’s Bird, which premiered at Cannes and hit theaters via Mubi earlier this month. The Oscar-nominated actor is repped by WME, B-Side Management in the UK, Entertainment 360, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.