Come together! Not right nowbut in 2028: then the biopic about The Beatles will be released. Fifty-five years after the band’s breakup, we’re a bit tired of documentaries and it’s time for a film. Director Sam Mendes has even promised us four pieces, one for each Beatle, featuring Harris Dickinson (John), Paul Mescal (Paul), Joseph Quinn (George) and Barry Keoghan (Ringo) as the Fab Four. Who knows, maybe Mendes will have so much fun with this mega project that he will also make a part for the Fifth Beatle.
What is it with all the biopics about music legends in recent years? Published in 2018 Bohemian Rhapsodyabout the fortunes of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. A year later it was Elton John’s turn Rocketman. Turned in 2022 Elvis in theaters last year Bob Marley: One Love and A Complete Unknownabout Bob Dylan. And since the end of last month we can go to Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere. It seems that many film directors nowadays turn to their record collection for inspiration. An artist’s life is of course ideal for a film: someone wants something (to become a musician) and has successes (albums, fans, performances), but also setbacks (irritating managers, drug addiction, AIDS). Another advantage: you can fill many minutes of such a film with music.
But perhaps there is an explanation for all those films about musical heroes. There are simply a lot of young, male actors with momentum, some more popular than others. For the aforementioned Dickinson, Mescal, Quinn and Keoghan as well as Austin Butler (Elvis), Jeremy Allen White (Bruce Springsteen) and Timothée Chalamet (Bob Dylan), the fact that they can play a star seems to be a confirmation of their own (early) stardom. It works well, that accumulated popularity. You’re watching a young, successful actor playing a young, successful artist – kind of an explosion star quality on the screen.
In the comments on YouTube there is now almost nothing but criticism of the casting of the Beatles biopic. The actors wouldnot enough‘ or ‘not at all‘ look like Paul, John, George and Ringo. Who’s going to tell @jeromebrown918, @arthurthelegend1497 and @randomdude8340 that there is such a thing as grime? And that it is quite childish to expect actors to look exactly like those they portray. Then you just have to stare at a record cover, or put together a nice film yourself with AI.
While men who were already born then The White Album came out angry, the flag went up among young women. “The Beatles Biopics Will Star All Our Internet Boyfriends,” the American cooed Elle. ‘Hello, Hello! Meet the Sexy Beatles,” the headline read Vulture. ‘In 2028, the Fab Four will become 21st-century hot. Like iPhone face, cold-brew coffee hot.’ Beatlemania, but now even crazier.
There was less attention when Sony Pictures announced last week which actresses will play The Beatles’ partners (look it up yourself, I won’t keep going!). At least Priscilla (Elvis’s) got her own Sofia Coppola-directed biopic, which was also better than the kitschy portrait of her ex-husband. As for films about female artists, there is still a lot of ground to be gained. Back To Black (2024), about the life of Amy Winehouse, received moderate reviews. The recordings for Who’s That Girlstarring Julia Garner as Madonna, has been postponed for four years, probably because Madonna wants to write and direct the whole thing herself.
There is a good chance that we will first be presented with a film about a male music sensation. Now that Paul, John, George, Ringo, Freddie, Bruce, Elton, Elvis, Bob and Bob have had their turn, you can guess who will be next. You heard it here first: Finn Wolfhard (that kid from Stranger Things) will portray Mick Jagger in Beast of Burdenprovided Mick doesn’t run away with the leading role himself.
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