Barry Keoghan to play Ringo Starr in Beatles biopic, drummer says

Barry Keoghan is apparently set to play Sir Ringo Starr in four biopics about The Beatles.

The ‘Saltburn’ actor, 32, was previously rumoured to be in the mix to play the legendary drummer in the upcoming movie series about the iconic band, and now Starr, 84, has seemingly suggested that Keoghan has indeed signed on to play him in the films.

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight about the actor’s rumoured involvement in the project, Ringo said: “I think it’s great.

“I believe he’s somewhere taking drum lessons, and I hope not too many.” 

The ‘Dunkirk’ star was first linked to the movies - which will to be helmed by ‘Skyfall’ director Sir Sam Mendes - in February, with Deadline reporting that Keoghan would portray the drummer, while ‘Gladiator II’ actor Paul Mescal and Babygirl’s Harris Dickinson would play Sir Paul McCartney and John Lennon respectively.

While the outlet reported Charlie Rowe was in negotiations to appear as George Harrison, it was later rumoured that Mescal’s fellow ‘Gladiator II’ star Joseph Quinn was instead chosen by Mendes to play the guitarist.

A source told UK newspaper The Sun: “Joe is an incredible actor. It's a massive role, but Sam is delighted to have him on board.”

Each of the four films will focus on one member of The Beatles, and will tell the story of the band through their eyes.

The projects mark the first time that Apple Corps Ltd and The Beatles – Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Ringo Starr and the families of John Lennon and Harrison – have granted full-life story and music rights for a scripted movie.

While there still has not been any official casting news, Sony Pictures - which is producing the flick alongside the ‘1917’ director’s Neal Street Productions - did confirm shooting would begin in mid-2025 for a planned 2027 theatrical release.

Even so, Sony has not yet revealed whether the four movies would release at the same time, but the studio promised there would be an “innovative release cadence” for the pictures.

Speaking about the potential release schedule for the films, Sony boss Tom Rothman vowed the studio had “to match the boldness of the idea with a bold release strategy”.

He told The Hollywood Reporter: “There hasn’t been an enterprise like this before, and you can’t think about it in traditional releasing terms.”

Previously, Mendes revealed he pitched the idea of making the pictures about the ‘Let It Be’ group last year and wowed Sony's Rothman and Elizabeth Gabler with his proposals.

The ‘Spectre’ filmmaker told Deadline: “We went out to Los Angeles just before Christmas to pitch the project, and it’s fair to say we were met with universal enthusiasm.

“The reason Sony stood out from competing offers was down to Tom and Elizabeth’s passion for the idea, and commitment to propelling these films theatrically in an innovative and exciting way.”