Moviefone Editorial

Tag: sony-classics

  • ‘Nuremberg’ Interview: Michael Shannon and John Slattery

    KCvOlgu5

    Opening in theaters on November 7th is the new historical drama ‘Nuremberg‘, which was written and directed by James Vanderbilt (‘Truth’), and stars Oscar winners Rami Malek (‘Bohemian Rhapsody’) and Russell Crowe (‘Gladiator’), as well as Michael Shannon (‘The Shape of Water’), John Slattery (‘Spotlight’), Colin Hanks (‘Nobody 2’), and Richard E. Grant (‘Can You Forgive Me?’).

    TvTls9FNc7JlwO3DY289C7

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Michael Shannon and John Slattery about their work on ‘Nuremberg’, Slattery’s first reaction to the screenplay and collaborating with director James Vanderbilt on set, as well as Shannon’s approach to his character and working with Rami Malek.

    (L to R) Michael Shannon and John Slattery star in 'Nuremberg'.
    (L to R) Michael Shannon and John Slattery star in ‘Nuremberg’.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.

    Related Article: Michael Shannon Talks Director Joshua Oppenheimer’s Musical ‘The End’

    (L to R) Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley, Colin Hanks as Dr. Gustave Gilbert, John Slattery as Col. Burton C. Andrus in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley, Colin Hanks as Dr. Gustave Gilbert, John Slattery as Col. Burton C. Andrus in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    Moviefone: To begin with, John, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and the importance of telling this story?

    John Slattery: My first reaction was I don’t think I’m the man to play this part. I thought, I don’t have it in me. I said to James, “If you want what’s on the page, then you probably should find someone else because how am I going to run that room and preside over that group?” He convinced me to do it my own way, or we’d figure out a way to do it. That’s coupled with, of course, wanting to be in it and wanting to be a part of such a great story. So, I was daunted by the challenge of it, but certainly wanted to be a part of it. I think Michael, Rami and Russell were already set. So, who wouldn’t want to be a part of that group?

    MF: Michael, can you talk about your approach to playing Robert H. Jackson, the pressure on him to win this trial and what’s at stake if he doesn’t?

    Michael Shannon: Well, I just did a lot of research. I didn’t know much about Robert Jackson, or hardly anything really, going into it, so I had a lot to learn. Obviously, you know, he kind of brings this all upon himself because the trials are his idea. A lot of people in the American government thought if we caught Nazis, we should just execute them, and he went out of his way to establish this tribunal and so he reaped what he sowed to that extent. But thank God he did it because it was a brilliant idea, and he was right. But he sacrificed a bit of his own professional trajectory to accomplish it. I wish what he had set in motion was as strong now as what he established back then.

    Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    MF: Michael, can you also talk about Jackson’s working relationship with Douglas Kelly as it’s depicted in the film and creating that relationship on screen with Rami Malek?

    MS: Well, I’m so charmed by Rami all the time. I mean, he’s so alive. He’s so much fun to work with, even in in a story and situation like this. You know, in the book, ‘The Nazi and the Psychiatrist’, which the film is based on, you don’t really see too much interplay between Jackson and Kelly. It really focuses on his time with the Nazis in the prison, but I really love doing that scene in the stadium where I lay out to him why what we’re doing is so important. I’m glad it’s in the story and I loved shooting that with him because he was such an amazing listener to play off. Anytime you have a speech like that, you hope whoever you’re saying it to is listening to what you’re saying, and he was always. Yeah, I love him.

    MF: Finally, John, what was it like collaborating with writer and director James Vanderbilt on set and helping him to execute his vision for this project?

    JS: I mean, you couldn’t find a more enthusiastic leader who fortunately had written the script, so we had a resource and wealth of ideas. He was collaborative, excited, tireless and funny, and I couldn’t have had a better experience from the moment I met him till now. He was willing to try things. He was willing to adjust and to accommodate. This cast has very different energies between Russell, Rami, Michael, Richard Grant, Leo (Woodall) and me. There’s a lot of different methods of working and he accommodated all of them, at least speaking for myself. I couldn’t have had a more willing partner.

    (L to R) Leo Woodall and James Vanderbilt on the set of ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Leo Woodall and James Vanderbilt on the set of ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    What is the plot of ‘Nuremberg’?

    During the Nuremberg trials, chief psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek) interviews Nazi military members to determine whether they are fit to stand trial. There, he enters a “battle of wits” against Adolf Hitler’s right-hand man, Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe).

    Who is in the cast of ‘Nuremberg’?

    'Nuremberg’ opens in theaters on November 7th.
    ‘Nuremberg’ opens in theaters on November 7th.

    List of Michael Shannon Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Nuremberg’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Michael Shannon Movies On Amazon

     

  • ‘Eleanor the Great’ Interview: June Squibb and Erin Kellyman

    Im07Bsij

    Opening in theaters on September 26th is the new film from first time director Scarlett Johansson (“Jurassic World Rebirth‘) entitled ‘Eleanor the Great’.

    wKVs1TCatHmwhF6ekx79x

    The movie stars Oscar nominee June Squibb (‘Nebraska’), Erin Kellyman (‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’), Jessica Hecht (‘Sideways’), and Chiwetel Ejiofor (‘Doctor Strange’).

    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Erin Kellyman as Nina in ‘Eleanor the Great’. Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Erin Kellyman as Nina in ‘Eleanor the Great’. Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with June Squibb and Erin Kellyman about their work on ‘Eleanor the Great’, Squibb’s first reaction to the screenplay, Eleanor and Nina’s friendship, the themes of loss, being directed by Scarlett Johansson, what Kellyman learned from working with Squibb, and what they’ll remember most about making the movie.

    You can watch the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.

    Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Eleanor the Great’

    June Squibb as Eleanor in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Jojo Whilden. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
    June Squibb as Eleanor in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Jojo Whilden. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

    Moviefone: To begin with, June can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay, and did you recognize right away that this would be a fantastic role for you to play?

    June Squibb: Yes. I did. I think I knew after the second page or so. It was just beautifully written, and I began to see Eleanor, and I felt I knew who she was, and I recognized her and how she felt about things. It was almost an immediate yes.

    Erin Kellyman as Nina in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Erin Kellyman as Nina in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    MF: Erin, can you talk about the friendship that Nina forms with Eleanor and how she feels when she realizes that the relationship was based on a lie?

    Erin Kellyman: Nina’s obviously just interested in Eleanor’s story. It’s obviously a real story, but it’s just not hers. I think she’s genuinely just interested in that and wants to write a piece on it. Then I think the more and more that these two characters hang out and spend time with each other, I think Nina realizes that Eleanor is a good friend and someone that she really needs in her life. She’s been isolating herself and not seeing her friends and then along comes this person who has a new set of eyes on the situation. I think in those circumstances, you can almost open-up more with people that are brand new in your life because they don’t have any preconceived ideas about anything. I think Nina finds Eleanor very wise, interesting, funny and fun to be around and to learn from. But also, that’s her rock, she’s not really speaking about her feelings with anybody else. It’s only Eleanor that she’s doing that with. So, she puts so much trust in this woman. I think obviously when Nina finds out that it wasn’t her story, I think it’s the most crushing thing. Because this is the first time that she’s opened-up to anybody and then to have the person that she’s opened-up to lie about something or not lie but tell somebody else’s story about something that’s so heavy. But all Nina is thinking is it’s a lie. When she first finds out, she’s just thinking, this is completely fabricated. So, it’s crushing. It’s difficult for her. But there’s forgiveness there once she understands. I think it almost is that she understands more because Nina is currently grieving. So, she can see her friend is also grieving and she just did this in a way to be close to her and to keep her story alive because Bessie had explained that before, she’s worried that no one’s going to know about her brother. So, there’s forgiveness and understanding there at the end.

    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Rita Zohar as Bessie in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Rita Zohar as Bessie in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    MF: June, can you talk about Eleanor’s friendship with Bessie, how she is grieving that loss, and how telling Bessie’s story helps keep her memory alive?

    JS: I think Bessie meant more to her at this point than anyone. I think even more than her husband did. I think that they had so completely just emerged their lives together. I think that that is the only thing she’s thinking about. I don’t think she even thinks in terms of, “Why am I doing this or what am I doing?” You know, I think it’s like, “Oh, I’ve got a chance to tell Bessie’s story. This is great. Everybody will know about her brother now.” I think that’s where it all comes from.

    (L to R) Erin Kellyman as Nina and June Squibb as Eleanor in ‘Eleanor the Great’. Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Erin Kellyman as Nina and June Squibb as Eleanor in ‘Eleanor the Great’. Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    MF: Erin, Nina has also lost her mother, and her father and her are still grieving. This movie is about how we grieve and navigate loss, isn’t it? Can you talk about that?

    EK: I think there’s three people at the center of this film that are grieving. They all handle it in such different ways. Roger (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is keeping everything in and can’t talk about it because it hurts too much. I think Nina is in the middle. I feel like, Eleanor wants to talk, and she realizes that you must, and I think she’s very wise for that. But I think Nina is stuck in the middle where she wants to but can’t because her dad doesn’t want to. She spent six months not talking about it and then struggles to open-up, but then Eleanor brings that out of her, and she realizes that that’s probably a better solution than keeping everything locked away.

    (L to R) Scarlett Johansson and June Squibb on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Scarlett Johansson and June Squibb on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    MF: June, what was it like working with Scarlett Johansson on set as a director?

    JS: Well, it was wonderful. Everything was very relaxed. She was our leader, always. I loved it because she used her acting background to direct me, and she knew immediately what I was doing, what I needed, and how long I needed things. I loved that. It was like a shorthand; we didn’t have to talk that much about things. She just knew what I was doing.

    Scarlett Johansson, June Squibb on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Scarlett Johansson, June Squibb on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    MF: Can you give me one example of how Scarlett used her acting skills on set to give you direction?

    JS: I think the scene with the rabbi, when we’re talking about the bat mitzvah. We did it a few times and she came in, and I forget what she said to me, but it all went, “Oh my God, yes”. She said exactly what I needed. I don’t even remember if it was technical or if it was emotional or what it was. But whatever it was, it opened me up completely.

    Scarlett Johansson on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Scarlett Johansson on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    MF: Erin, have you ever been directed by another actor before, and what was your experience like collaborating with Scarlett on set?

    EK: No, I don’t think I have. It was interesting. I think, as an actor, you understand what it is like to be on set and be trying to bring a character to life. I think Scarlett obviously understands that so well because she’s been doing this for her whole life. So, the way that she would communicate what she needed from you was so clear. But she also had patience too. Like if something didn’t click for me straight away, she would understand why it wasn’t clicking and then tell me about the note in a different way and then it would click. Just her patience in figuring out what I needed and then how to communicate with me was brilliant. She did that for everybody, that wasn’t just for me. She was figuring out lots of different people’s communication styles and working with it.

    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Erin Kellyman as Nina in ‘Eleanor the Great’. Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Erin Kellyman as Nina in ‘Eleanor the Great’. Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    MF: June, can you talk about working with Erin and creating Eleanor and Nina’s friendship on screen?

    JS: It was great fun. We had a good time. I think we emotionally had a good time. You know, it worked. It really did. Like in that diner scene, we were enjoying ourselves immensely being in a diner. We really were. I think we just kept talking when the camera was off. It made no difference to us. We just kept talking to each other.

    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Erin Kellyman as Nina in ‘Eleanor the Great’. Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Erin Kellyman as Nina in ‘Eleanor the Great’. Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    MF: Erin, what did you learn from working with June on this project?

    EK: I think what I admired most about June was her ability to do 110% on every single take, whether it was on her, not on her, a wide shot, like every single take was 110% and every single take was so impressive. It’s honestly a shame that they can only use one take for every scene. You know what I mean? There are so many good ones, that we could have another film. We could make another film with all the different avenues that she went down. But just the stamina and the energy, like the emotional stamina that you need to be able to do that is taxing and she did it. She did it every single time.

    June Squibb as Eleanor in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    June Squibb as Eleanor in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    MF: Finally, June, what will you remember most about this filmmaking experience?

    JS: Well, having Erin with me for one, and being a part of Scarlett’s first film. I think that’s going to be important. I think she’s going to be a very important director. If she wants it, if that’s what she wants to do.

    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Erin Kellyman as Nina in ‘Eleanor the Great’. Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Erin Kellyman as Nina in ‘Eleanor the Great’. Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    What is the plot of ‘Eleanor the Great’?

    Witty and troublesome 94-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein (June Squibb) moves from Florida to New York City following a devastating loss. She soon tells a tale that takes on a dangerous life of its own, while befriending a 19-year-old journalism student (Erin Kellyman).

    Who is in the cast of ‘Eleanor the Great’?

    • June Squibb as Eleanor Morgenstein
    • Erin Kellyman as Nina
    • Jessica Hecht as Lisa
    • Chiwetel Ejiofor as Roger
    • Rita Zohar as Bessie
    • Will Price as Max
    'Eleanor the Great’ opens in theaters on September 26th. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    ‘Eleanor the Great’ opens in theaters on September 26th. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    List of Scarlett Johansson Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Eleanor the Great’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Scarlett Johansson Movies on Amazon

     

  • Movie Review: ‘Eleanor the Great’

    June Squibb as Eleanor in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    June Squibb as Eleanor in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    Opening in theaters September 26 is ‘Eleanor the Great,’ directed by Scarlett Johansson and starring June Squibb, Erin Kellyman, Jessica Hecht, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Will Price, and Rita Zohar.

    wKVs1TCatHmwhF6ekx79x

    Related Article: 20 Best Movies of Scarlett Johansson’s Career Ranked from Worst to Best

    Initial Thoughts

    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Rita Zohar as Bessie in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Rita Zohar as Bessie in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    Like many actors before her, Scarlett Johansson moves from in front of the camera to behind it for her directorial debut, ‘Eleanor the Great.’ And there is talent there: Johansson’s direction is mostly unfussy and she largely stays out of her own way in laying out this intimate comedy-drama.

    She’s also aided immensely by another tremendous performance from 95-year-old June Squibb, who’s as irascible and steadfast as she was in her knockout 2024 starring vehicle, ‘Thelma.’ But both the director and her leading lady are let down in part by a script that makes a fatal Hollywood mistake – and all in service about what is occasionally a profound story of loss and remembrance, told in the shadow of the Holocaust but dangerously coming close to undermining it.

    Story and Direction

    Scarlett Johansson, June Squibb on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Scarlett Johansson, June Squibb on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    Eleanor Morgenstern (June Squibb), 94 years old, is widowed yet living contentedly in Florida with her best friend, Bessie (Rita Zohar). But an abrupt change in circumstances forces Eleanor to move to New York City, where she initially moves in with her daughter Lisa (Jessica Hecht) and her grandson (Will Price), a scenario with which no one is particularly comfortable.

    Feeling adrift and distant from her family, Eleanor wanders into a support group for Holocaust survivors – and begins to tell the story of Bessie, herself a survivor who never shared her experience with anyone but Eleanor, as if it was her own. She attracts the attention of a young journalism student named Nina (Erin Kellyman), who is making a film about the survivors, and soon becomes a friend and mentor to Nina and even meets her father, a local New York news anchor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) – all while her ill-conceived lie takes on a life of its own.

    Scarlett Johansson on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Scarlett Johansson on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    And that is where Tory Kamen’s script goes wrong: in pretending to have lived Bessie’s life, Eleanor creates a terrible problem that didn’t need to happen. She could easily walk into that survivors’ group, apologize for being in the wrong room, but still offer to talk about her friend Bessie – and perhaps even be welcomed. There’s another version of this movie in which she does that. But her mistake – lying that she herself is the survivor — feels less organic than contrived for the purposes of making this movie, which gives the movie an air of being deliberately manipulative even as it struggles with its tone.

    That’s not to say that Johansson and her actors don’t get a number of good moments out of this material. They do, particularly in Eleanor and Bessie’s early scenes together, and later when Eleanor is desperate to salvage the relationships she fosters in New York. The film does also have some poignant meditations on grief and the role of family, and it’s also a nicely realized New York City movie in a year that’s seen some good ones already. But the seriousness of Eleanor’s mistake, and the needlessness of it, clashes with both the darkness of Bessie’s story and the more lighthearted aspects of the film.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Erin Kellyman as Nina, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Roger in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Jojo Whilden. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Erin Kellyman as Nina, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Roger in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Jojo Whilden. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    The cast here is quite strong – and Johansson adds a note of real gravitas by casting real survivors as part of the support group – but this is June Squibb’s show all the way. Despite the script’s problems, which threaten our empathy with Eleanor, Squibb overcomes that with her wit, her candor, and her mix of compassion, heartbreak, and stubbornness, giving this actor another impressive notch in her incredible career renaissance.

    Ejiofor and Hecht are good in somewhat underwritten roles, but the other standout is Erin Kellyman as Nina, who is dealing with her own sense of loss and trying to find her way in the world as a young woman. Her intelligence and charisma shine through.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Erin Kellyman as Nina in ‘Eleanor the Great’. Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) June Squibb as Eleanor, Erin Kellyman as Nina in ‘Eleanor the Great’. Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    We’ll certainly give Scarlett Johansson kudos for tackling difficult material as a first-time director, and for the inarguable decision to cast June Squibb. But the weight of the subject matter is at odds with the film’s overall tone and aesthetic, plus there are other aspects of the story – like whether Eleanor can rightly be left on her own – that are glossed over. ‘Eleanor the Great’ has its moments, and might even produce some laughs or a lump in the throat, but great it’s not.

    ‘Eleanor the Great’ receives a score of 65 out of 100.

    June Squibb as Eleanor in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    June Squibb as Eleanor in ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    What is the plot of ‘Eleanor the Great’?

    Witty and troublesome 94-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein moves from Florida to New York City following a devastating loss. She soon tells a tale that takes on a dangerous life of its own, while befriending a 19-year-old journalism student.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Eleanor the Great’?

    • June Squibb as Eleanor Morgenstein
    • Erin Kellyman as Nina
    • Jessica Hecht as Lisa
    • Chiwetel Ejiofor as Roger
    • Rita Zohar as Bessie
    • Will Price as Max
    (L to R) Scarlett Johansson and June Squibb on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Scarlett Johansson and June Squibb on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    List of Scarlett Johansson Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Eleanor the Great’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Scarlett Johansson Movies on Amazon

    O5C0kZ7O

  • Ringo Starr Says Barry Keoghan will Play Him in New Beatles Biopic(s)

    (Left) Barry Keoghan in 'Masters of the Air,' premiering January 26, 2024 on Apple TV+. (Right) Ringo Starr in 'A Hard Day's Night'. Photo: United Artists.
    (Left) Barry Keoghan in ‘Masters of the Air,’ premiering January 26, 2024 on Apple TV+. (Right) Ringo Starr in ‘A Hard Day’s Night’. Photo: United Artists.

    Preview:

    • Ringo Starr says Barry Keoghan will play him for director Sam Mendes’ ambitious multi-biopic plan
    • He’ll make one film about each member’s time in the iconic band.
    • Apple Corps and the band have granted full life rights.

    Back in February, news first broke that Sam Mendes, the director behind movies such as ‘American Beauty,’ ‘Skyfall’ and most recently ‘Empire of Light’ had hatched an ambitious plan to make a biopic of legendary music group The Beatles.

    In fact, his idea was not to simply make one about the Liverpool-based supergroup whose music has dominated corners of the public consciousness for years, but four –– one each for members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, their stories intertwining to produce a fuller picture of their rise to pop and rock stardom in the 1960s.

    Naturally, there has been feverish speculation about which rising stars or establish actors might be cast to play the four Beatles (not to mention those who were in the group before they hit it big and any appropriate partners etc.)

    Nothing has been officially announced yet, though now we have Ringo Starr saying he’s heard that ‘Saltburn’ and ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’s Barry Keoghan is in line to play him.

    Here’s what Starr told Entertainment Tonight about the potential casting:

    “I think it’s great. I believe he’s somewhere taking drum lessons, and I hope not too many.”

    Yep, Ringo’s got jokes.

    What’s the plan for Sam Mendes’ Beatles films?

    (L to R) George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and John Lennon in 'The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years.'
    (L to R) George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and John Lennon in ‘The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years.’

    With the backing of Sony Pictures Classics –– not to mention being granted full life story and music rights by Beatles holding company Apple Corps Ltd. (no, not the company behind the Mac), surviving members McCartney and Starr and the families of deceased colleagues Lennon and Harrison –– Mendes will make four different biopics, covering each Beatles’ experiences during the band’s rise to massive popularity.

    A strict time period for what the movies will cover has yet to be announced.

    Here’s what Mendes had to say about the project:

    “I’m honored to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time, and excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies.”

    And this is the statement from Mendes’ Neal Street Productions partner Pippa Harris:

    “We intend this to be a uniquely thrilling, and epic cinematic experience: four films, told from four different perspectives which tell a single story about the most celebrated band of all time. To have The Beatles’ and Apple Corps’ blessing to do this is an immense privilege. From our first meeting with [Sony execs] Tom Rothman and Elizabeth Gabler, it was clear that they shared both our passion and ambition for this project, and we can’t think of a more perfect home than Sony Pictures.”

    Related Article: Sam Mendes Has Ambitious Plans For A Biopic About Each of The Beatles

    Who else has been rumored for Sam Mendes’ Beatles biopics?

    Paul Mescal plays Lucius in 'Gladiator II' from Paramount Pictures.
    Paul Mescal plays Lucius in ‘Gladiator II’ from Paramount Pictures.

    At this point, we can only imagine the size of the casting net Mendes and his producers have been throwing for the project, not to mention the clamoring of agents to get their clients either a meeting or an audition.

    As for the other main Beatles, the rumors so far have swirled around ‘Gladiator II’s Paul Mescal circling the role of Paul McCartney, ‘The Iron Claw’s Harris Dickinson linked to John Lennon, and Mescal’s fellow ‘Gladiator II’ actor Joseph Quinn (who will also be appearing in next year’s ‘Fantastic Four’ movie for Marvel) to portray George Harrison.

    Essentially, it’s been a who’s who of who’s hot. Mendes, of course, will make his choice in due time (assuming he hasn’t already) and we’ll have to wait for a big announcement to see who actually ends up on screen.

    Mendes’ movies will be highly anticipated, and not just for the scope of their ambition –– you need to find a way to stand out in the music biopic business; just look at the upcoming film on the life of Robbie Williams, which sees the pop star brought to life as a CG ape.

    The Beatles, of course, are on a whole other level.

    And interest in them continues to be high –– we’ve only just seen the latest documentary about the group, ‘Beatles ‘64’, which blends previously-shown footage with some new interviews.

    VK9b3OHGP4aqMqx9GjSB56

    When will Sam Mendes’ Beatles biopics hit theaters?

    (L to R) Olivia Colman and Sam Mendes on set of the film 'Empire of the Light.' Photo by Parisa Taghizadeh, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Olivia Colman and Sam Mendes on set of the film ‘Empire of the Light.’ Photo by Parisa Taghizadeh, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

    Given the scope of the movies, the current aim is to have the movies in theaters by 2027, with the plan for their release dates still to be announced. Will we see them release a month apart? Spread out across the years? It’s too early to tell.

    But here’s what Sony chief Tom Rothman told The Hollywood Reporter about his plans:

    “You have to match the boldness of the idea with a bold release strategy. There hasn’t been an enterprise like this before, and you can’t think about it in traditional releasing terms.”

    (L to R) Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon in 'The Beatles: Get Back - The Rooftop Concert.'
    (L to R) Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon in ‘The Beatles: Get Back – The Rooftop Concert.’

    Other Movies Similar to The Beatles Biopic:

    Buy Sam Mendes Movies on Amazon

    PwiMjqed