Anna Sawai says playing Yoko Ono in Sam Mendes' Beatles film is 'very meaningful'

Sawai, 33, previewed her role as Yoko Ono, the avant‑garde artist and wife of John Lennon, in the upcoming The Beatles – A Four‑Film Cinematic Event, which will consist of four interconnected movies, each told from the perspective of a different band member. The films are slated for a simultaneous theatrical release in April 2028.

Speaking with People, Sawai said, “It’s just exciting because [Ono’s] story is so inspirational to me, and people really don’t know the true person that she was.” She added, “She’s an incredible artist. And also, she just was an independent woman, and people didn’t like that. They wanted John [Lennon] for themselves, and she was an easy target. And I think it’s very meaningful for me to be able to tell her story.”

Sawai has described Ono as a bold, misunderstood figure whose creative legacy extends far beyond public perception, and said portraying her allows audiences to see a more nuanced and human side of the artist. “Just how bold she is… I love her. She’s so cool,” Sawai told Yahoo about her admiration for Ono.

The Beatles films are shaping up to be one of Mendes’ most ambitious projects yet, with Paul Mescal cast as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as Lennon, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, alongside actors portraying key figures in their lives.

In addition to her role in the Beatles series, Sawai continues to build her career with upcoming projects including the action film How to Rob a Bank and the ensemble comedy‑drama (Saint) Peter.