Exclusive first images from Sam Mendes' highly anticipated four-part Beatles film project have been unveiled in a unique promotional campaign centred around Liverpool's performing arts community. The initial stills feature the principal cast members in full character as the legendary Fab Four, offering fans their first glimpse of the actors transformed into the iconic musicians.
Limited Edition Postcard Campaign
The images were released through a series of specially printed, numbered limited edition postcards that were distributed and strategically hidden throughout the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. This innovative marketing approach saw the postcards secreted around the school's buildings, with students encouraged to discover them as part of an interactive promotional experience.
The performing arts institute holds particular significance for this project, as it was co-founded by Paul McCartney himself and occupies the former premises of the Liverpool Institute High School for Boys. This was the very educational establishment where both McCartney and his future bandmate George Harrison received their schooling, creating a meaningful connection between the film's subject matter and its promotional location.
Character Transformations Revealed
Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney
Paul Mescal appears as a young Paul McCartney, captured in a suit and sporting the distinctive haircut from the band's early years. The image suggests the setting may be a representation of the famous Cavern Club, where The Beatles performed numerous times during their formative period in Liverpool's music scene.
Harris Dickinson as John Lennon
Harris Dickinson embodies John Lennon, complete with the round "granny specs" that became synonymous with Lennon's later appearance. The distinctive spectacles were adopted permanently by Lennon after he wore them during the filming of Richard Lester's 1967 movie How I Won the War, marking a significant visual evolution in his public persona.
Joseph Quinn as George Harrison
Joseph Quinn portrays George Harrison with the long hair and beard that characterised the musician's appearance towards the latter stages of The Beatles' existence. This particular look reflects Harrison's growing interest in spirituality and Eastern philosophy during the band's final years together.
Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr
Barry Keoghan transforms into Ringo Starr, sporting a pirate-style beard and wearing a distinctive polka dot shirt that captures the drummer's unique fashion sense during the band's peak popularity years.
Project Background and Release Timeline
Sam Mendes first announced this ambitious cinematic undertaking, currently titled The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, in 2024. The project represents one of the most significant film adaptations of The Beatles' story ever attempted, with all four instalments scheduled for simultaneous release in April 2028.
The postcard images quickly gained attention beyond their initial Liverpool distribution after being shared on Instagram by the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts' official account, generating considerable excitement among film enthusiasts and Beatles fans worldwide. This carefully orchestrated reveal demonstrates the production team's commitment to creating authentic period details while generating anticipation for what promises to be a landmark cinematic interpretation of popular music history.
