Paul Mescal teases exit from the spotlight before Beatles movie role

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Paul Mescal has hinted that he might step away from the public eye for a while, as he prepares to take on one of the most iconic roles in music history. The actor, known for his role in Gladiator II, is set to portray Sir Paul McCartney in an upcoming series of Beatles biopics. These four films are expected to hit theaters in April 2028, marking a major milestone in Mescal’s career.

The cast for the highly anticipated project was finally confirmed earlier this year after months of speculation. Alongside Mescal, Harris Dickinson will play John Lennon, Barry Keoghan will star as Ringo Starr, and Joseph Quinn will take on the role of George Harrison. The films will explore the story of The Fab Four, following their journey from unknowns in Liverpool in the early 1960s to becoming the world's most famous band and eventually breaking up in 1970.

Despite the excitement surrounding the project, Mescal has suggested that he may be taking a break from the spotlight for a few years. Speaking to The Guardian while promoting his new film The History of Sound and his role in Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, he admitted that he is considering a period of time away from public life.

He said: “People will get a break from me and I’ll get a break from them, over the next couple of years.” Mescal added that he has been in the industry for five or six years and feels lucky, but he also believes he can’t continue at the same pace.

Filming indie projects like The History of Sound, which stars Mescal alongside Josh O’Connor as two men traveling across America in the 1920s to record folk songs, takes more out of him than many might expect. However, despite his plans for a break, Mescal is still set to remain busy with the Beatles biopics and Richard Linklater’s long-term project Merrily We Roll Along.

Production for the Beatles films is already underway, with filming taking place at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios. This follows earlier reports that plans had been blocked, but Westminster Council has since confirmed that filming will proceed. The production team will involve closing the road to recreate the Beatles’ 1969 album cover on the famous zebra crossing.

Sam Mendes, who is directing the films, wanted to capture the essence of the band’s legacy through this iconic location. The council has worked closely with the production teams to facilitate filming, ensuring that the historical significance of the site is preserved.

In addition to the male leads, the female cast has also been announced. Aimee Lou Wood, known for her role in White Lotus, will play Pattie Boyd, George Harrison’s wife. Saoirse Ronan, an Oscar nominee, will portray Linda McCartney, the muse behind many of Paul McCartney’s songs. Anna Sawai, recognized for her role in Shogun, will take on the role of Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s wife, while Mia McKenna-Bruce will play Maureen Cox, the wife of Ringo Starr.

Entitled The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event, the project marks the first time that surviving Beatles members McCartney and Starr, along with the families of the late Lennon and Harrison, have given the rights to feature films about them. Mendes expressed his excitement about the cast, saying: “Maureen, Linda, Yoko and Pattie are four fascinating and unique figures in their own right, and I’m thrilled that we’ve managed to persuade four of the most talented women working in film today to join this amazing adventure.”

The films will offer a fresh perspective on the lives of the Beatles, focusing on each member’s personal journey as they rise to fame and eventually part ways. With such a star-studded cast and a legendary story, the biopics are sure to captivate audiences when they hit theaters in 2028.