The Beatles First Look: Four Legendary Music Stories in Sam Mendes Movie

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The ambitious The Beatles film project, directed by Sam Mendes, finally received its official first look in January 28, 2026.

This isn't just a single biopic, but rather a "Four-Film Cinematic Event" that promises an immersive narrative from the perspective of each member of the legendary band.

This unique initiative aims to capture the essence and complexity of the journeys of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr individually and collectively.

The premiere was achieved through the distribution of limited-edition postcards at iconic Beatles-related locations around the world, including Liverpool, New York City, Tokyo, and Hamburg.

This innovative marketing strategy garnered widespread attention, especially after the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) documented the postcard's discovery and invited students to participate in a scavenger hunt.

With four films scheduled for simultaneous release on April 7, 2028, this project marks the largest cinematic effort to retell the Beatles' journey.

First peek at the cast for the 4 ‘BEATLES’ biopics• Harris Dickinson as John Lennon• Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney• Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr• Joseph Quinn as George Harrison(Source: lipaliverpool/IG) pic.twitter.com/4y4dco34nl

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 29, 2026

On January 29, 2026, Sony Pictures officially launched the "first look" for "The Beatles — A Four-Film Cinematic Event" through an unconventional yet highly effective method.

Thousands of limited-edition postcards were distributed at key locations with strong historical ties to The Beatles, providing an early glimpse into the visuals of the characters.

In Liverpool, the Beatles' hometown, the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) served as one of the focal points of the distribution.

LIPA, founded by Paul McCartney, documented the postcard discovery through Instagram posts, encouraging students to search for hidden postcards on their campus.

Global distribution also included New York City, Tokyo, and Hamburg.

In Hamburg, places like The Beatles Monument, the Cavern Club, the Kaiserkeller, and The Star-Club witnessed the postcard distribution.

Meanwhile, in New York City, fans could find postcards at Strawberry Field in Central Park, New York University, Columbia University, and various iconic record stores and cafes.

Tokyo wasn't far behind, with locations like Abbey Road Live, Tower Records in Shibuya, Broadway Diner in Yoyogi, Tsutaya, and The Capital Hotel Tokyo serving as discovery points.

The announcement of the main cast for The Beatles film project has garnered widespread attention, with big names in the film industry being tapped to bring the music icons to life.

• Harris Dickinson as John Lennon.
• Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney.
• Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.
• Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.

In addition to the main cast, The Beatles film project also features supporting cast:

• Saoirse Ronan sebagai Linda McCartney.
• Anna Sawai sebagai Yoko Ono.
• Aimee Lou Wood sebagai Pattie Boyd.
• Mia McKenna-Bruce sebagai Maureen Starkey (Ringo Starr first wife).
• James Norton sebagai Brian Epstein.

As of December 2025, several other actors have joined the cast, including David Morrissey, Leanne Best, Bobby Schofield, Daniel Hoffman-Gill, Arthur Darvill, and Adam Pally.

The film project is designed as a revolutionary "Four-Film Cinematic Event," with each film telling the story of The Beatles from the perspective of one of the band members.

This concept allows for deeper narrative depth and distinct nuances for each member: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.

All four films are scheduled for simultaneous release on April 7, 2028, marking a significant moment in cinema history.

According to Mendes, The Beatles' story was too large and complex to fit into a single film, and a television miniseries format didn't feel right for their epic scale.

Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan, and Jack Thorne will co-write the screenplay, while cinematographer Greig Fraser will be responsible for the visuals.

With an estimated production cost of around $100 million per film, the total budget of the project is expected to exceed $400 million.