Casting news and the plan ahead

British actor James Norton will portray Brian Epstein, the Beatles’ pioneering manager, in director Sam Mendes’ ambitious four-film “cinematic event.” The project, backed by Sony and set to tell the group’s story from multiple perspectives, has already cast Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Barry Keoghan and Joseph Quinn as the band. Norton’s addition fills a crucial role. Epstein shaped the band’s early sound and image, negotiated transformative deals, and pushed them from Liverpool clubs to global stages before his death in 1967. Mendes plans to shoot the interlocking films with separate points of view—an experiment that aims to reframe a well-worn legend for younger audiences. Production timelines and release windows are still being finalized; the rollout is expected to span multiple dates rather than a single premiere.

Why this matters to fans and the industry: Multi-film storytelling is spreading beyond superhero universes into music history. A quartet told from different angles could surface contradictions and give each Beatle room to breathe. It also invites risk. Intertwined scripts demand tonal balance and clear connective tissue; casting must hold audience attention across four releases. For Norton, fresh off prestige roles on British television and stage, Epstein offers a complex study—visionary, anxious, and often isolated by success. Music rights and archival access will be decisive for authenticity. Expect a marketing cadence that leans into character-centric trailers and period design, while playlists on streaming services shepherd a new generation into the catalog. If it lands, Mendes’ experiment could set a template for biopics in chapters rather than cradle-to-grave sweeps.