Harris Dickinson Says Rumored John Lennon Casting in Beatles Biopics 'Would Be Splendid'

Mar. 15, 2025

Harris Dickinson (left); John Lennon.Photo:Joe Maher/Getty; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Joe Maher/Getty; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Harris Dickinsonis not ready to confirm whether or not he is playingJohn Lennon.Dickinson, 28, briefly touched on therumors that he will portray LennoninSam Mendes' in-the-works fourBeatlesmovies during an interview withThe Hollywood Reporterpublished Wednesday, Jan. 29.The outlet noted that Dickinson — who is not yet confirmed to be playing Lennon — groaned and said, “Don’t ask me about that,” when the subject was nearly broached during one conversation.“Okay, my comment is that I think it would be a brilliant opportunity to play John Lennon, and to work with Sam and everyone else mentioned," he said during a follow-up interview, perTHR. “Yeah, I don’t know. It would be splendid.”Skyfalland1917director Mendes, 59,announcedthat he will direct four movies about the Beatles alongside Sony Pictures and Neal Street Productions back in February 2024. The four films, which will tell the story of the Beatles, including Lennon, who died in 1980 at 1940, as well as his bandmatesPaul McCartney,George HarrisonandRingo Starrthrough each band member’s perspective.Harris Dickinson (left); John Lennon.Steve Granitz/FilmMagic ; Cyrus Andrews/Michael Ochs Archives/GettyThough casting for each of the band’s four members has not yet been announced, Dickinson is rumored to costar in the four movies along withPaul Mescalas McCartney, now 82;Barry Keoghanas Starr, now 84; and eitherJoseph Quinnor Charlie Rowe as Harrison, who died at 58 in 2001.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.DirectorRidley Scottseeminglyspilled the rumored news about Mescalduring a December 2024 conversation with directorChristopher Nolanafter aGladiator IIscreening, and Starr said he believed Keoghan was “somewhere taking drum lessons” during an interview withEntertainment Tonightthe same month.Harris Dickinson on Jan. 19, 2025.Valentina S. Frugiuele/GettyA press release regarding the films' announcement in February 2024 indicated that each of the four movies expect to release worldwide in 2027.While the Beatles have been portrayed onscreen before —Aaron Taylor-JohnsonandThomas Brodie-Sangsterportrayed teenaged versions of Lennon and McCartney in 2009’sNowhere Boy, andJacob Fortune-Lloydrecently starred as the band’s manager Brian Epstein inMidas Man— Mendes' project is the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles have granted the rights to their life stories and music for a feature length film.“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,” Mendes said in his February 2024 statement regarding the films.

Harris Dickinsonis not ready to confirm whether or not he is playingJohn Lennon.

Dickinson, 28, briefly touched on therumors that he will portray LennoninSam Mendes' in-the-works fourBeatlesmovies during an interview withThe Hollywood Reporterpublished Wednesday, Jan. 29.

The outlet noted that Dickinson — who is not yet confirmed to be playing Lennon — groaned and said, “Don’t ask me about that,” when the subject was nearly broached during one conversation.

“Okay, my comment is that I think it would be a brilliant opportunity to play John Lennon, and to work with Sam and everyone else mentioned,” he said during a follow-up interview, perTHR. “Yeah, I don’t know. It would be splendid.”

Skyfalland1917director Mendes, 59,announcedthat he will direct four movies about the Beatles alongside Sony Pictures and Neal Street Productions back in February 2024. The four films, which will tell the story of the Beatles, including Lennon, who died in 1980 at 1940, as well as his bandmatesPaul McCartney,George HarrisonandRingo Starrthrough each band member’s perspective.

Harris Dickinson (left); John Lennon.Steve Granitz/FilmMagic ; Cyrus Andrews/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic ; Cyrus Andrews/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Though casting for each of the band’s four members has not yet been announced, Dickinson is rumored to costar in the four movies along withPaul Mescalas McCartney, now 82;Barry Keoghanas Starr, now 84; and eitherJoseph Quinnor Charlie Rowe as Harrison, who died at 58 in 2001.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

DirectorRidley Scottseeminglyspilled the rumored news about Mescalduring a December 2024 conversation with directorChristopher Nolanafter aGladiator IIscreening, and Starr said he believed Keoghan was “somewhere taking drum lessons” during an interview withEntertainment Tonightthe same month.

Harris Dickinson on Jan. 19, 2025.Valentina S. Frugiuele/Getty

Valentina S. Frugiuele/Getty

A press release regarding the films' announcement in February 2024 indicated that each of the four movies expect to release worldwide in 2027.

While the Beatles have been portrayed onscreen before —Aaron Taylor-JohnsonandThomas Brodie-Sangsterportrayed teenaged versions of Lennon and McCartney in 2009’sNowhere Boy, andJacob Fortune-Lloydrecently starred as the band’s manager Brian Epstein inMidas Man— Mendes' project is the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles have granted the rights to their life stories and music for a feature length film.

“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,” Mendes said in his February 2024 statement regarding the films.

source: people.com