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As the quartet of Beatles biopics inch ever closer to their April 2028 simultaneous release date, the Universal Music Group has cut a deal with Apple Corps on a new global exclusive licensing deal covering the band’s merch, licensing and e-commerce businesses, the companies announced today (Aug. 19). Universal has long been the home of the Beatles’ recorded music through their stewardship of Capitol.
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The four Beatles biopics, first announced in 2024, will be told from the respective perspectives of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr , with the four bandmates being portrayed by Harris Dickinson , Paul Mescal , Joseph Quinn and Barry Keoghan , respectively, with James Norton as Beatles manager Brian Epstein . Directed by Sam Mendes , the films are as yet individually untitled, though they are collectively being billed as The Beatles — A Four Film Cinematic Event .
“The Beatles embody music’s power to change the world, and that influence makes them one of the most iconic and enduring cultural brands of all time,” UMG chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge said in a statement about the deal. “We’re grateful for Apple Corps’ trust as we deepen our global partnership, while protecting and growing The Beatles’ legacy through authentic fan experiences worthy of their artistry. As a lifelong Beatles fan, building on the relationships forged over the past 14 years is one of the great highlights of my career.”
The Beatles, of course, are no strangers to the big screen, themselves having put out films like A Hard Day’s Night , Help! , Magical Mystery Tour and Yellow Submarine during their recording and touring career in the 1960s, as well as the documentary Let It Be about the recording of their final album. They’ve also been the subject of films by Ron Howard (2016’s Eight Days A Week ) and Peter Jackson (2021’s Get Back ) and their music and story were the inspiration for theatrical releases like 2007’s Across The Universe and 2019’s Yesterday , in addition to dozens of other films and specials over the years.
These forthcoming movies, however, serve as the first time the four members and their respective estates have granted full life rights to any production, as well as full music rights through Apple and UMG. They will follow the projected 2027 debut of The Beatles At 3 Savile Row, a seven-floor fan experience in London that will open up Apple Corps’ archive of memorabilia and exhibitions, and will also house a merch store and recreation of the studio space where the band recorded Let It Be in 1969, as well as the location of their iconic rooftop concert at the location, which was the basis for Jackson’s film.
“We are delighted to partner with UMG on a new global merchandising deal,” said Tom Greene , the newly-minted CEO of Apple Corps, in a statement. “There has never been a more exciting time to work on The Beatles as we look ahead to the 3 Saville Row fan experience in 2027, and our biopic movies in 2028. The Beatles message has never been more relevant or needed in the world today, and we look forward to delighting millions of fans with everything we have planned.”
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