Excitement is building for Sam Mendes’s ambitious Beatles film project, and the latest news adds even more star power behind the scenes. Following the recent announcement of the four lead actors set to portray the legendary band members, it’s now confirmed that three acclaimed screenwriters will join Mendes in bringing this cinematic venture to life. Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan, and Jack Thorne have been tapped to co-write the upcoming quartet of biographical films set to premiere in April 2028.
Jack Thorne, widely recognized for his work on the Netflix hit Adolescence, is among the most notable names joining the writing team. The teen drama, co-created with Stephen Graham, quickly became a global sensation thanks to its raw exploration of how social media impacts young lives. It soared to the top of Netflix’s English-language rankings upon its release. Thorne’s writing credits also include Enola Holmes, The Swimmers, and TV collaborations like This Is England and His Dark Materials. He’s an accomplished playwright as well, with major stage hits such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and The Motive and the Cue, the latter directed by Mendes himself.
Peter Straughan brings a wealth of prestige to the project, having just won an Academy Award for his screenplay adaptation of Conclave, a suspenseful film about the secretive process of electing a new pope. His previous TV success includes adapting Hilary Mantel’s historical epic Wolf Hall—a BAFTA-winning series lauded for its depth and attention to detail. Straughan’s knack for adapting complex narratives into engaging screenplays makes him a strong asset for the multifaceted Beatles saga.
Jez Butterworth rounds out the trio of writers, bringing with him a history of both stage and screen achievements. He earned a Tony Award for his play The Ferryman and received further acclaim for The Hills of California, which recently garnered multiple Tony nominations. On the big screen, Butterworth’s portfolio includes the high-octane drama Ford v Ferrari, the James Bond installment Spectre, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny—all of which showcase his versatility and skill in storytelling.
The Beatles film series will consist of four interconnected stories, each centered on one member of the band. With Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, the casting already promises depth and charisma. Mendes has described the multi-film approach as a way to explore each Beatle’s personal journey, calling it the “first binge-able theatrical experience.” Notably, this marks the first time Apple and the remaining band members, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, have authorized a scripted film project based on their lives and music—making the production all the more historic.
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