It sounds like Sam Mendes has found his final Beatle. Deadline reports that “Gladiator II” star Joseph Quinn is the director’s choice to play George Harrison in one of the four upcoming biopics about the members of the legendary pop band. Harrison was the final Beatle Mendes needed an actor for, with Quinn joining the previously cast Paul Mescal (Paul McCartney), Barry Keoghan (Ringo Starr), and (reportedly) Harris Dickinson (John Lennon).
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Quinn’s casting ends months of speculation, and comes on the heels of Starr himself confirming this week that Keoghan indeed will play him in Mendes’ project. The plan is for Mendes to shoot four movies, each focusing on one specific Beatles member; but it’s a safe bet each actor will show up in all of them, however briefly.
What’s funny about Quinn’s casting is that now the Beatles biopics star two “Gladiator II” actors. In fact, it would’ve been three if Keoghan hadn’t dropped out of the other Emperor role that went to Fred Hechinger. And ironically, “Gladiator II” director Ridley Scott is the main reason we know Mescal has the McCartney role. He confirmed his leading man had the part in an awards conversation with Christopher Nolan; but reports of Mescal’s casting came as early as this past May.
Still, is it any shock these up-and-coming British actors will play the Fab Four? Mescal is an imminent A-List talent, and Keoghan and Dickinson have firmly supplanted themselves in Hollywood’s new generation, with Quinn not far behind. Reports say that Quinn has been hauling around a guitar as he shoots “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” It shouldn’t be too hard for Quinn to brush up on his picking skills, as he’s learned guitar for a part before: the beloved Eddie Munson of “Stranger Things” Season 4.
Quinn also stars in Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza‘s upcoming military pic “Warfare,” which should be in theaters next year, likely after “Fantastic Four.” As for Mendes’ Beatles biopics? Don’t expect them out for another year or two at least.