Filming has captured the four leads from Sam Mendes’ Beatles biopics as they re-create the Abbey Road crossing. Harris Dickinson, known for Triangle of Sadness and Babygirl, plays John Lennon, while Paul Mescal, known for Gladiator II and Hamnet, plays Paul McCartney. Joseph Quinn plays George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan, known for The Banshees of Inisherin and Saltburn, plays Ringo Starr.
Short, careful scenes show the actors crossing slowly, a symbol of rebellion and Studio-era optimism. Every move mirrors Lennon and McCartney’s early-1960s posture and rhythm, from the guitar strap lift to the head tilt that shows friendship and quiet resolve. Behind the camera, mentors and music consultants give tips on posture, facial expression, and timing to make the recreation feel as electric as the original moment. The work also teaches how to capture a fleeting cultural gesture with modern precision.
Beyond the crossing, the team is making intimate, studio-based vignettes about the band’s early tensions and triumphs. A wardrobe rack holds period-appropriate suits, striped shirts, and leather jackets, chosen to reflect Lennon and McCartney’s personalities while leaving room for the actors to add their own touch. The camera, shot from low angles, has the actors practice harmonies and subtle accents to evoke the sounds of their Come Together-era experiments. A careful prop department provides vintage guitars, amplifiers, and microcassettes to add real-life feel to the scenes.
The footage captures the four performers recreating the iconic front cover stance outside the studio where the album was produced, a shot that has long been regarded as one of the most recognizable images in music history. The clip rapidly circulated on social platforms, pulling fans into the project’s excitement.
The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event is already garnering intense anticipation for a 2028 release, with all four films scheduled to hit theaters simultaneously on April 7, 2028. Surviving Beatles members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have given their blessing for the project, which will be released as a cohesive four-film set directed by Mendes, who is handling each installment dedicated to a band member.
Speculation abounds about narrative structure, as insiders hint at a Rashomon-style approach featuring overlapping footage from multiple viewpoints. In a historic move, the series will also be among the first major productions to secure rights to the Beatles discography for its soundtrack. The ensemble cast expands to include Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey Tigrett, Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono, and Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd.
Boyd recently spoke about not being contacted for the project in a podcast hosted by Chris O’Dell, noting that she would have appreciated being informed about casting choices. Meanwhile, the project remains slated for a synchronized release on April 7, 2028.
