The Beatles: Some Fans Express Disappointment Over Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan Biopic Casting
Though not yet confirmed by the studio, Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan appear to have roles in the upcoming films about each of the Beatles. Rumors about both actors’ connection to the films have swirled for months now, but sources outside of Sony Pictures have spoken about their casting. Some Beatles fans don’t seem all that happy with the casting of Mescal and Keoghan, who will play Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, respectively.
Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan have seemingly been confirmed to play The Beatles
Mescal recently starred in Gladiator II and is slated to work with director Ridley Scott again in The Dog Stars. When asked about Mescal’s involvement in the project, Scott wondered if another film might get in the way. He seemingly confirmed Mescal’s rumored role as McCartney.
“Yes,” Scott said, per The Hollywood Reporter, before amending, “Maybe. Paul is actually stacked up, doing the Beatles next. So I may have to let him go.”
Starr himself appeared to confirm that Keoghan will play him when he was asked about the rumored casting.
“I think it’s great,” Starr told Entertainment Tonight. “I believe he’s somewhere taking drum lessons, and I hope not too many.”
Some fans don’t seem happy with the casting
While some have celebrated the fact that two Oscar-nominated actors might soon play Beatles, other fans are skeptical. When discussing Mescal’s role as McCartney, some fans said that he looks little like the round-faced, boyish McCartney.
“Looks nothing like Paul, sounds nothing like Paul,” one Reddit user wrote.
Another noted that Mescal looked more like Lennon than his bandmate. Others said that the looks didn’t matter as long as the performances were strong.
“I think that people are a little too caught up in the look of the actors,” another Reddit user wrote. “From what I’ve seen of their work, all four of them are good actors (especially Mescal and Keoghan), so even if they don’t look too much like the lads I don’t really mind.”
Others have complained about Keoghan’s casting as Starr, though many agreed that he looked the part.
“The Saltburn guy is an absolute no for me I don’t even care who he plays,” wrote one person.
Multiple other users expressed their desire to see new, unknown actors in the roles. Both Mescal and Keoghan have acted in a number of high-profile films in recent years.
“Okay, so over 60 years later, the Beatles are still four of the most famous people to have ever lived,” someone wrote. “I know [rumored John Lennon actor Harris Dickinson], Mescal, and Keoghan are ‘buzzy’ actors, but in my opinion, they are too well-known, and the whole time, I’d be thinking, for example, ‘that’s Barry Keoghan,’ not ‘that’s Ringo.’ People are going to be interested in these movies no matter who’s in them. Why not take the opportunity to cast actors who can really disappear into these roles?”
Paul Mescal once addressed the rumors about his role in the Beatles film
Unsurprisingly, Mescal has faced media questions about whether or not he has the part. He recently said the role would be a dream.
“It would be an incredible story to be attached to,” he told Entertainment Tonight. “The fact that Sam Mendes is attached to direct, like truly, it would be a dream come true.”
He refused to comment on whether or not he officially had the part.
“No, no, no — we’re not going there,” he said.
