Musicians now have a reason to “Get Back” to the movies. Just three months after The Beatles’ final song was released, it was announced that a new biopic about the legendary group is in the works. Not only that, but four different biopics on each of the members will be released.
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison will all receive their own individual films released by Sony Entertainment and directed by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes. In addition, the biopics will be able to explore the lives of the musicians like no other film has because Mendes has been granted both full life story and music rights — a first for a production about the group.
“That will give them a chance to explore the connection between the songs and the lives of the individuals as well as the groups and its dynamics, and I don’t think you can make a biopic without doing that,” USC School of Cinematic Arts professor Ted Braun said. “I expect we will have a chance to discover things about these already very public figures that we wouldn’t otherwise discover, as a filmmaker it’s a very tantalizing prospect.”
The expectation for Mendes’ film is high but he intends to make the production one to remember. According to The New York Times, Mendes said the eventual release process will be “innovative and groundbreaking.” And while it’s not yet known exactly when the films will hit theaters, Mendes said he has big plans for the movies, which will be released “Here, There, and Everywhere” in 2027.
“I’m honored to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time, and excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies,” Mendes told The New York Times.
With Beatles fans around the world expected to “Come Together” to see the innovative quartet in a way they never have before, the question remains of whether Thornton students will do the same. The Beatles changed the way music sounds and influenced countless musicians, and this rings true for many USC music students.
At one point, The Beatles were one of the most popular groups in the world; fans might have even traveled in a “Yellow Submarine” to see them, but not every USC student would take that method of transportation. Even students who aren’t superfans, acknowledged the band’s influence in one way or another. For some, studying the musicians at USC has provided a whole new perspective on performing and writing songs.
“I just did a transcription of Eleanor Rigby, and that was cool to see the way that their string arrangement was laid out, especially how it interacted with the voice,” Meghan Chen, a sophomore studying popular music said. “I think a lot of their production techniques have been very big for the world of production and advancing the techniques used.”
Some people didn’t grow up listening to The Beatles, but many students’ parents and grandparents did. Countless parents would listen to The Beatles during long car rides, at family parties and on many other occasions. For those whose parents turned them on to the Beatles, they said they have been feeling the band’s influence “Now and Then.”
“I grew up on The Beatles. My dad was a huge fan, so I think it will be cool for each one to get their own stories, especially since George and Ringo get the back burner sometimes.” Aria Morgan, a sophomore studying classical saxophone and performance, said. “Everything they’ve done is with instruments, and not every band can say that. They revolutionized recording arts as a whole.”
The fanbase is so vast that even casual fans of The Beatles will still “Twist and Shout” when the stories of their lives unfold on the big screen. They are also thankful for the band, even if the Beatles didn’t directly influence their music, they had an effect on their love for music.
“I think it’s universal. I remember being a kid, and that was one of the first times I grasped the concept of artists having different albums and stories,” Ethan Larson, a graduate student studying music industry, said. “It kinda puts all the pieces to the puzzle together in my head. That’s kinda why I fell in love with music.”
The unique sound and songs they created caught the world by storm so much that other artists just couldn’t “Let it Be.” Doing so The Beatles had a direct influence on some Trojan’s favorite bands.
“I listen to a lot of new wave artists so a lot of people who were from the UK were obviously majorly affected by them,” Matthew Lucas, a graduate student studying music industry, said “They influenced me like that, never necessarily directly but through the artists that I care about.”
The lasting effects of The Beatles is felt all throughout USC’s music school, and it’s no doubt they taught musicians here and “Across the Universe” that when they are making art, “All You Need Is Love.”