John Lennon’s sister again criticises casting of The Beatles biopics: “Paul Mescal is in everything”
Julia Baird, the sister of John Lennon, has criticised Sam Mendes for not selecting Liverpudlian actors for his upcoming biopics on The Beatles.
Mendes is currently in the pre-production stage of his forthcoming set of films, each focusing on a different member of the Fab Four. All four movies are scheduled to be released simultaneously in April 2028.
In the movies, Gladiator II star Paul McCartney will portray Paul McCartney, Babygirl’s Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Saltburn’s Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr and Stranger Things actor Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.
All four of the stars are firmly on their way to the top of Hollywood and are among the hottest properties in the movie industry. However, Baird believes they are the wrong set of individuals to tell the story of The Beatles.
She told the Mail Online of Mescal: “Well he’s in everything! What’s wrong with Liverpool? We have actors, and they speak the language. I don’t think anything other than, have they been investigated and looked at Liverpool actors? Paul Mescal is in everything – get real, come on.”
Baird continued: “There are more actors out there waiting for a go, and for a chance. It will be interesting to see what kind of accent he comes up with, because nobody can do a Liverpool accent. They all get it wrong.”
Despite her disapproval over the casting, Baird promised to watch the films when they are released in 2028 “if I’m still around”.
Last month, Baird, who is not in control of Lennon’s estate, revealed to The Telegraph that Mendes is yet to contact her directly about the biopic and explained why she doubts he’ll pick up the phone, adding, “He’s never going to ask me! I’m the last person he would want to talk to because then he can’t make it up.”
Meanwhile, Aimee Lou Wood and Mia McKenna-Bruce have become the latest names to be linked to the project. The White Lotus star Wood is linked with the role of Pattie Boyd, and McKenna-Bruce with Maureen Starkey.
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