Beatles Biopic Stars Enjoy Classic Chips During Liverpool Filming Break
While they are set to portray the masterminds behind some of history's most iconic songs, it appears that for the stars of the upcoming Beatles biopics, a simple portion of chips was all the sustenance needed during a busy filming schedule. On Wednesday, actors Paul Mescal and Harris Dickinson were seen tucking into a cone of chips, wrapped in traditional newspaper, during a break from shooting in Liverpool.
Transforming Liverpool for the Fab Four's Story
The pair are starring as Paul McCartney and John Lennon respectively in Sam Mendes' ambitious four-film project, which documents the band's rise from Liverpool's subterranean Cavern Club to becoming the biggest and most influential group in the world. An unassuming street was transformed back to the 1960s for the scene, with Mescal and Dickinson picking up their chips from a nearby stand.
Production has recently moved to Liverpool after filming raucous scenes in central London, including outside Sir Paul McCartney's real childhood home. This relocation adds authenticity to the biopic, which aims to capture the essence of the Beatles' early years.
Star-Studded Cast and Production Details
Mescal and Dickinson will be joined by Joseph Quinn as George Harrison and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr in the four new films. The supporting cast is equally impressive, featuring Aimee Lou Wood as Harrison's model wife Pattie Boyd, Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono, and James Norton as the band's manager, Brian Epstein.
Additional appearances include Mia McKenna-Bruce as Starr's first wife, Maureen Starkey, and Harry Lloyd as George Martin, the record producer who worked with the Beatles on all eleven of their studio albums.
Filming at Iconic Locations
The Daily Mail previously revealed that the biopics will also be filmed at London's iconic Abbey Road Studios, with production underway since November last year. Despite earlier reports that plans had been blocked, Westminster Council has confirmed to the Daily Mail that filming will proceed, including on the famous zebra crossing featured on the Beatles' 1969 album cover.
The council is working closely with production teams to facilitate filming, which will involve closing the road. Mendes had expressed a desire to recreate the album cover, and this collaboration ensures that vision can be realized.
Unprecedented Access and Cast Insights
Speaking at the CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas last April, Mendes described the films as the 'first binge-able theatrical experience.' This project marks a historic moment, as it is the first time Apple Corps Ltd and the Beatles—Sir Paul, Sir Ringo, and the families of Lennon and Harrison—have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film.
Starr previously hinted that Saltburn star Keoghan had taken on the role, telling Entertainment Tonight: 'I believe he’s somewhere taking drum lessons, and I hope not too many.' Meanwhile, Sir Ridley Scott revealed that Mescal was joining the Beatles project, noting at an industry event that the actor was 'actually stacked up, doing the Beatles next.'
Nerves and Excitement Among the Cast
Keoghan recently admitted to being overcome with nerves during his first meeting with Beatles legend Ringo Starr. While he described the encounter as 'lovely,' he told Jimmy Kimmel Live that he was so starstruck he struggled to make eye contact with the drummer.
He recalled: 'I met him at his house, and he played the drums for me. He asked me to play, but I wasn't playing the drums for Ringo.' When asked if he was able to 'study' the musician, he added: 'I was. And when I was talking to him, I couldn't look at him. I was nervous, like right now. But he's like, "You can look at me."'
A Cinematic Event Like No Other
Titled The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event, the project was announced last year. Each movie will take the perspective of one member of the Beatles, tracing their evolution from unknowns in Liverpool in the early 1960s to becoming the biggest band in the world and their eventual breakup in 1970.
This unprecedented access, granted by surviving Beatles McCartney and Starr, along with the families of the late Lennon and Harrison, promises to deliver a unique and immersive portrayal of the band's legendary journey.
