The Beatles fans divided by actors tipped to play band in new biopic: 'They're too old!'

The biopic marks the first time ever that all four members and their Apple Corps. company has granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film.

The movies are being made by Sony Pictures and Sam Mendes' Neal Street Productions company and are scheduled to begin shooting in mid-2025 for a planned 2027 cinematic release.

It has not yet been revealed if all four films will be released at the same time or whether they will be staggered across the year, but reports have claimed that Sony has promised an "innovative release cadence".

Rumours of who will be playing the famous four in the Mendes film have begun to swirl but it has left prospective viewers divided.

Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan and Charlie Rowe are rumored to star as John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison in Sam Mendes’ upcoming ‘THE BEATLES’ biopics.

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According to The InSneider, Paul Mescal will play Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan will portray Ringo Starr, Harris Dickinson to star as John Lennon, and Charlie Rowe will take on the role of George Harrison.

Mendes recently revealed that he had pitched the idea last year and stunned Sony executives Tom Rothman and Elizabeth Gabler with his plans, and 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."

The rumoured casting left many divided, as one posted on X: "Unless the movie is only about the break up of the band all these guys are too old. If this is about the band’s beginnings they should have gone with early 20-something unknown actors."

"Who could Barry Keoghan possibly be I'm so lost," another asked before someone else said: "Please tell me I’m not the only one sick of seeing Barry Keoghan."

A fourth added: "Wow... So far I see none of it with this cast. I will make a decision during the trailer as to whether they can pull it off," as others insisted they needed "unknowns" for the film to work.

However, others were thrilled with the casting and one delighted fan expressed: "If this rumour will be true then it will worth watching."

Someone else noted: "I called it with Paul Mescal. I'm glad I was right. I can see Barry as Ringo, too. For others, I gotta watch the movie once it comes out." (sic)

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Keoghan has risen to huge stardom over the last few years, with the 31-year-old starring in Dunkirk, The Banshees of Inisherin, The Batman and more recently Saltburn.

The Irish actor has also made headlines recently for his relationship with pop star and actress Sabrina Carpenter, shortly after his split from long-term girlfriend Alyson Kierans - 15 months after the birth of their son.

Mescal made his name after starring in the BBC series Normal People, with Dickinson starring in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, where he played Prince Phillip, as well as The King’s Man, Where the Crawdads Sing and Triangle of Sadness.

Rowe is known for playing George Osborne in ITV’s lavish 2018 adaptation of Vanity Fair.