As buzz continues to build around Sam Mendes’ ambitious The Beatles movie project, Julia Baird, John Lennon’s half-sister, has expressed one specific concern about the casting of the Fab Four. The Beatles remain one of the most influential bands in music history, with a legacy that spans decades and continues to enchant new generations. The Oscar-winning director officially announced the casting for The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event at CinemaCon 2025, with Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.
In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Baird was candid when asked if she believed that Liverpudlian actors should have been cast to portray the four Liverpool native musicians, who will now be portrayed by two actors from Ireland and two from London. While she has no direct involvement in the films or Lennon’s estate, she believes that only Liverpudlian actors can truly embody the Beatles in all their local authenticity. Read her comment below:
Yes, of course. No one else can get that Liverpool intonation. Nobody.
When asked if she would give director Sam Mendes any advice that would help him capture life as a member of the iconic band as accurately as possible, Baird stated that talking to her would be the last thing the director would want to do. This is what she said:
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.
What This Means For Mendes’ Beatles Films
Not Casting Liverpudlian Could Impact The Films’ Reception
With Mendes’ four Beatles movies set to release in 2028, Baird’s criticism speaks to the larger debate of whether regional authenticity should be prioritized in biopics. In the case of The Beatles, whose Liverpudlian idenтιтies were integral to their public personas, some may argue that it’s essential. As Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison all met in Liverpool as teens, with McCartney and Harrison having gone to school together as children, and Starr joining the band later on, it’s clear that The Beatles’ Liverpudlian roots influenced not just their personalities, but also their music and charm, playing a big role in the band’s origins.
Mendes has a track record of capturing nuanced and emotional performances, so he may still be able to capture the band’s spirit even if the accents are not spot-on.
While the chosen cast of The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event consists of talented rising stars, their geographic origins have raised eyebrows among those familiar with Liverpool and The Beatles’ particular accent and cadence. With none of the leads being Liverpudlians, Baird’s comments underline the risk of losing that authenticity. Although Mendes’ vision for the four-film event is fascinating, audience immersion is often dependent on credible portrayals, especially in projects so rooted in real and recent history. If audiences feel the essence of The Beatles is missing, it could affect how the films are received, no matter how well they’re made.
Our Take On Baird’s Comments
Authenticity Matters, But So Does Storytelling.
Understandably, Baird, and so many Beatles fans, champion authenticity when it comes to the retelling of the band’s lives. However, casting choices in biopics often prioritize performance range over regional specificity. Mendes has a track record of capturing nuanced and emotional performances, so he may still be able to capture the band’s spirit even if the accents are not spot-on. The pressure, however, relies on the actors to deliver portrayals that go beyond mimicry and tap into the idenтιтy and emotional journey of each band member. If they can succeed, then the films may still resonate with audiences.
Still, given how iconic and beloved The Beatles are, fans will undoubtedly analyze every detail. It’s now up to Mendes and his cast to prove that they can deliver something that honors the band’s legacy while also presenting a fresh and emotionally resonant film event.
Source: The Telegraph
