Actor Farhan Akhtar is set to make his Hollywood debut with Sam Mendes’s upcoming biopics on each member of English rock band The Beatles, the makers announced on Friday.
The 52-year-old actor-filmmaker is set to play the role of Ravi Shankar in the upcoming four films. The Indian sitar virtuoso had a lasting influence on The Beatles member George Harrison’s music, with many reports claiming it changed Harrison forever.
Other cast members were also announced. Lucy Boynton will star as Jane Asher, Morfydd Clark as Cynthia (Powell) Lennon and Harry Lawtey as Stuart Sutcliffe.
The upcoming biopics will feature Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.
David Morrissey will join as Paul McCartney’s father Jim McCartney, Leanne Best as John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi, James Norton as influential manager Brian Epstein, Harry Lloyd as long-time music producer George Martin, Bobby Schofield as road manager and trusted confidant Neil Aspinall, Daniel Hoffman-Gill as roadie Mal Evans, Arthur Darvill as press officer and friend Derek Taylor, and Adam Pally as controversial music manager Allen Klein.
The significant love interests in The Beatles biopics include Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey (Ringo Starr’s first wife), Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney (Paul McCartney’s first wife), Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono (John Lennon’s wife), and Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd (George Harrison’s first wife).
Harry Lloyd will play the role of producer Sir George Martin, often known as the ‘Fifth Beatle’ for his contribution in shaping the iconic sound of the band.
This is the first time that Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and the families of the late John Lenon and George Harrison, along with right holder Apple Corps Ltd, have granted access to the full life story of The Beatles members and music rights for a scripted film.
Touted as “the astonishing story of the greatest band in history”, the project will explore the perspective of each member of the iconic British boy band.
Sam Mendes, known for helming James Bond films Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015), will be directing the films. He will also produce the biopics alongside his Neal Street Productions partner Pippa Harris and executive producer Julie Pastor.
