Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan set for leading roles in Sir Sam Mendes' Beatles movies

Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan are set to star in Sir Sam Mendes' Beatles films.

The 58-year-old director announced earlier this year that he would be directing four separate films about the legendary band and has now reportedly cast the leading quartet.

According to The InSneider, Harris Dickinson is to star as John Lennon, Mescal will play Paul McCartney, Keoghan is to portray Ringo Starr and Charlie Rowe will take on the part of George Harrison.

The films are set to be interconnected stories with one from each band member's perspective.

It marks the first time ever that The Beatles and their Apple Corps. company have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film.

The movies are being made by Sony Pictures and Sam's Neal Street Productions company and are scheduled to begin shooting in mid-2025 for a planned 2027 cinematic release.

It has not yet been revealed if all four films will be released at the same time or whether they will be staggered across the year but Sony has promised an "innovative release cadence".

Mendes explained that he pitched the idea of making four films about the 'Hey Jude' group last year and wowed Sony executives Tom Rothman and Elizabeth Gabler with his plans.

The 'Skyfall' filmmaker told Deadline earlier this year: "We went out to Los Angeles just before Christmas to pitch the project, and it’s fair to say we were met with universal enthusiasm.

"The reason Sony stood out from competing offers was down to Tom and Elizabeth’s passion for the idea, and commitment to propelling these films theatrically in an innovative and exciting way."