The Beatles are back at Abbey Road. Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, Joseph Quinn, and Harris Dickinson have been spotted filming director Sam Mendes‘ upcoming Beatles biopic at the famous zebra crossing in London. The four actors recreated the legendary album cover from 1969, walking across the street just like the original band did over 50 years ago.
Video footage shared on social media shows the actors dressed in suits, crossing the street multiple times during production. Mescal plays Paul McCartney, Quinn plays George Harrison, Keoghan plays Ringo Starr, and Dickinson plays John Lennon. The scene required around 80 extras and vintage vehicles to capture the look of 1960s London.
Filming Almost Did Not Happen At Abbey Road
The production team faced a major roadblock before filming could begin at this historic location. Westminster Council initially said they would not allow filming to take place at the Abbey Road crossing. This created uncertainty about whether Mendes could recreate the iconic moment for his movie.
However, the council later confirmed that filming would go ahead. They said they were working closely with the production teams to make it happen. The council also sent letters to residents and business owners in the area, informing them about road closures and bus diversions during the shoot.
One local resident, broadcaster Vanessa Feltz, said she was initially annoyed when she got blocked in her house by the filming. But she changed her mind when she realised the crew was recreating the famous Abbey Road album cover right outside her home.
Why Abbey Road Matters To The Beatles
Abbey Road Studios holds a special place in music history. The Beatles recorded 190 of their 210 songs at this studio between 1962 and 1970. They even named their final recorded album after the street.
The original album cover photo was taken by Scottish photographer Iain Macmillan, who was a close friend of John Lennon. He stood on a ladder in the middle of the road and had only ten minutes to get the perfect shot. He made the band walk back and forth across the crossing many times. Paul McCartney chose the final image that became the album cover.
The location has become one of the most recognised recording studios in the world. Beyond The Beatles, artists like Amy Winehouse, Fela Kuti, Ella Fitzgerald, Lady Gaga, and Pink Floyd have all recorded there. The studio also handles soundtracks for major film franchises including Star Wars, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings.
The Four-Film Project
Mendes is directing four separate movies, with each one telling the story of the band from a different member’s point of view. The project is called “The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event“.
This marks the first time the surviving Beatles members and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison have given permission for the band’s life rights and music to be used in a theatrical feature film.
The official description for the project says: “Each man has his own story, but together they are legendary”. During CinemaCon 2025, Mendes called it the “first binge-able theatrical experience”.
Full Cast And Supporting Players
The main cast includes some of today’s most recognised actors. The supporting cast is also packed with big names:
- Saoirse Ronan plays Linda McCartney
- James Norton plays manager Brian Epstein
- Anna Sawai plays Yoko Ono
- Aimee Lou Wood plays Pattie Boyd
- Mia McKenna-Bruce plays Maureen Starkey
- Harry Lloyd plays producer George Martin
- David Morrissey plays Jim McCartney
- Adam Pally plays Allen Klein
The screenplays are written by Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan, and Jack Thorne.
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Release Plans For 2028
Sony Pictures plans to release all four films in April 2028. It is not yet clear if the movies will come out on the same day or once a week throughout the month.
Tom Rothman, the head of Sony Pictures, said principal photography for all four films would take a full year. The production team has already been working on the project for some time, with earlier filming taking place in Liverpool earlier this year.
Paul Mescal previously shared that he started taking music lessons to prepare for playing Paul McCartney. The actors have been getting into character for months before stepping in front of the cameras.
The Abbey Road filming shows the production is now recreating some of the band’s most famous moments. For Beatles fans, seeing these actors walk across that crossing brings the band’s legacy back to life in a new way.
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