LOS ANGELES, September 21 — The story begins on a street corner, with three men running. Barry Keoghan, Joseph Quinn and Harris Dickinson were spotted filming the iconic opening of the 1964 film “A Hard Day’s Night” for the forthcoming Beatles biopic, according to images published by TMZ on September 20. The three actors were seen recreating the famous sequence from the original film in which the bandmembers run away from swarms of adoring fans.
The project, titled “The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event,” is a multi-part biopic that will consist of four separate films, each focusing on a different member of the band. In the biopic, Paul Mescal stars as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn plays George Harrison, Barry Keoghan portrays Ringo Starr, and Harris Dickinson plays John Lennon.
Recreating a Defining Moment
Directed by Richard Lester, the 1964 “A Hard Day’s Night” followed the Beatles over two days as they struggled to keep themselves and Paul McCartney’s mischievous grandfather in check while preparing for a live TV performance. The scene being filmed is one of the most notable moments from the original movie. Last month, the cast, including Paul Mescal, was seen recreating the “Abbey Road” album cover for the multi-part biopic.
The filming of the “A Hard Day’s Night” opening is the latest development in the production, which has already generated significant buzz with the “Abbey Road” recreation.
A Star-Studded Ensemble
The official logline for the project reads, “Each man has his own story, but together they are legendary.” In addition to the main bandmembers, the cast includes Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, James Norton as Brian Epstein, Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey, Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono, Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd, Harry Lloyd as George Martin, David Morrissey as Jim McCartney, Leanne Best as Mimi Smith, Bobby Schofield as Neil Aspinall, Daniel Hoffmann-Gill as Mal Evans, Arthur Darvill as Derek Taylor, and Adam Pally as Allen Klein.
As previously reported by Variety, all four of the films will be released theatrically in April 2028. The release date will mark a major cinematic event, with all four films hitting theaters simultaneously.
The Beatles, formed in Liverpool in 1960, became one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands in history, with the original “A Hard Day’s Night” film premiering in 1964 to widespread acclaim. The biopic event aims to tell the story of each member: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The films are highly anticipated, with a star-studded cast bringing the legendary band and their associates to life.
The project is being produced by a major studio, though specific details about the production companies have not been disclosed in the source material. The Beatles’ cultural impact continues to resonate, and this ambitious four-film approach seeks to offer a comprehensive portrayal of each bandmember’s life and legacy.
For those involved, the production has moved from the studio to the street, one iconic sequence at a time. What to watch next: further location shoots and any first-look footage ahead of the April 2028 release.
