Beatles to get Fab Four of biopics
The Beatles are getting the big-screen biopic treatment in not just one film, but a Fab Four of movies that will give each band member their own spotlight — all of which are to be directed by Sam Mendes.
For the first time, the Beatles, long among the stingiest rights granters, are giving full life and music rights to a movie project. Sony Pictures announced Monday a deal that may dwarf all music biopics that have come before it, with the stories of Paul Mccartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr spread out over a quartet of films.
The films, conceived by Mendes, are expected to roll out theatrically in innovative fashion, with the movies potentially coexisting or intersecting in theaters. Precise release plans will be announced at a later date. Sony is targeting 2027 for their release.
Mccartney, Starr and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison have all signed off on the project through the band’s Apple Corps Ltd. Sony Music Publishing controls the rights to the majority of Beatles songs.
“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 said.
Each film will be written from the perspective of each Beatle.
Beyoncé tops country music chart:
Beyoncé has hit a new high with her new country song “Texas Hold ’Em.”
Although much hay has been made about the single, it debuted in the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, which tallies streaming, airplay and sales.
According to Rolling Stone, Beyoncé holds the distinction as “the first Black woman artist ever to top (the chart) in the modern history of country music.”
“16 Carriages,” which also dropped after the premiere of her Verizon Super Bowl ad, entered the ranking at No. 9.
‘Spider-man’ claims Annie Awards win:
“Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse” won best picture Saturday at the Annie Awards, which honors animated films and television programs. The Sony
Pictures Animation feature collected six other awards, including best direction, FX and character design.
The superhero film is a sequel to “Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse,” which won the best picture Annie in 2018. That win was followed by an Oscar for best animated film.
Other nominees in the Annie best picture category were Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron,” Nimona,” “Suzume” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.” “Robot Dreams” won for best independent feature. “Across the Spider-verse,” “The Boy and the Heron,” “Nimona” and “Robot Dreams,” along with Pixar’s “Elemental,” were all nominated for this year’s Academy Awards in the best animated feature category.
Feb. 22 birthdays: Actor Paul Dooley is 96. Actor Julie Walters is 74. Actor Kyle Maclachlan is 65. Comedian Rachel Dratch is 58. Actor Jeri Ryan is 56. TV host Clinton Kelly is 55. Singer Lea Solanga is 53. Singer James Blunt is 50. Actor Drew Barrymore is 49. Singer Tom Higgenson is 45. Actor Daniel E. Smith is 34.