Gladiator II star Paul Mescal has landed the role of Paul McCartney in the upcoming Beatles biopics directed by Sam Mendes, according to Ridley Scott.
Scott let the news slip during a conversation between himself and fellow filmmaker Christopher Nolan during a screening of Gladiator II in Los Angeles on Tuesday (via The Hollywood Reporter). Asked by Nolan if he hoped to work with Mescal again following their work in Gladiator II, Scott confirmed that he would, but added that, “Paul is actually stacked up, doing the Beatles next. So I may have to let him go.”
The quartet of biopics will each focus on an individual member of The Beatles while weaving together interconnected stories of the band’s history. Mendes is set to direct all four of the films for Sony Pictures, which have the full approval and the musical rights of the band.
While no official casting announcements have been made, Mescal has long been the favorite to play McCartney — a choice that appears to have now been confirmed by Scott. Last month, Ringo Starr revealed that Barry Keoghan had been cast to portray him.
Meanwhile, Joseph Quinn and Harris Dickinson are rumored to be playing George Harrison and John Lennon, respectively.
The four films are targeting a 2027 release.