Keoghan tapped to play Ringo Starr

Fans of both the Beatles and Barry Keoghan can rejoice: the Irish actor has been cast to portray Ringo Starr on screen in an upcoming biopic. The development was confirmed by the 84-year-old iconic drummer himself in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

"I think it's great," said Starr when asked for his thoughts on the Saltburn actor's alleged casting. "I believe he's somewhere taking drum lessons, and I hope not too many."

As per the Guardian, the ambitious venture will consist of four films in total, with one feature from each Beatle's perspective. Director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, 1917) will helm the project, with all four films scheduled to be released in 2027. "I'm honoured 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 said.

Back in February, Deadline reported plans for a quartet of Beatles films, with speculation rife ever since. Whilst Keoghan's casting appears to be confirmed, the publication added that Gladiator II actor Paul Mescal actor may be in talks to play the role of Paul McCartney. In addition, Harris Dickinson (Beach Rats) is in potentially line to play John Lennon, with Mescal's fellow Gladiator II actor Joseph Quinn possibly depicting George Harrison. However, no casting deals are currently in place.

The development marks the first time ever that the life story and music rights for a scripted Beatles film have been granted by both McCartney and Starr, as well as Lennon and Harrison's surviving family members. Producer Pippa Harrison has promised a fresh take on the band's story, claiming that "nothing off limits and no sense of the band wanting him to tell a particular 'authorised' version of their rise to success".