Arguably the most famous crosswalk in rock history is being revisited by director Sam Mendes for his upcoming Beatles biopics.
Filming on the top-secret project — which will comprise four separate movies, each focusing on a different member of the Fab Four — is underway in London.
Footage has just emerged in which the film’s stars — Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr — recreate one of the most iconic moments in Beatles history.
‘Abbey Road’ Revisited
On Sunday, August 16, video emerged of a scene being filmed in London outside of Abbey Road Studios, with the four actors recreating the photo shoot for the group’s 1969 “Abbey Road” album cover.
In video shared via social media, the four actors — attired in the precise outfits worn by the band — walk in sync across the crosswalk for the photoshoot that resulted in one of the most iconic photos in rock history.
A Closer Look
Another video, taken from a closer vantage point, offers even more detail.
Dickinson, as Lennon, sports the same all-white ensemble from the “Abbey Road” cover, while Mescal’s McCartney is barefoot.
A Starr Consultant
GettyWhile Mendes’ four-film project is being shot in secrecy, one person who’s been able to read the script is Beatles drummer Ringo Starr.
In an interview with The New York Times, the 84-year-old rock legend revealed that he’d spent “two days” going over the screenplay “line by line,” and then “offered extensive notes” to the director to increase the accuracy.
That, he explained, was particularly true when it came to the script’s depiction of his relationship with his first wife, Maureen Starkey Tigrett.
“[Mendes] had a writer – very good writer, great reputation, and he wrote it great, but it had nothing to do with Maureen and I,” Starr said. “That’s not how we were. I’d say, ‘We’d never do that.’”
Ultimately, though, Starr has also made peace with the fact that Mendes may or may not take his recommendations to heart.
“He’ll do what he’s doing,” Starr added. “And I’ll send him peace and love.”
‘He Knew It Better Than I Did’
Starr’s former bandmate Paul McCartney is taking a hands-off approach to Mendes’ films.
However, he did reveal in an interview with BBC that he’d met the actor who’d be playing him — and who will be providing his own vocals in recreations of The Beatles’ myriad hits.
Asked if he offered Mescal any advice on hitting his signature high-pitched “Woooo!” McCartney replied, “None! None!”
He did, however, make an attempt to teach Mescal how to play a Beatles classic in the left-handed manner in which McCartney plays.
“He came into this office and I thought, ‘Well, I’ll show him how to do “Blackbird.”‘ So I picked up the guitar and started playing… and he played along exactly! I think he knew it better than I did!” McCartney marveled.
“It was amazing how studied and how well-educated he was about me,” McCartney added. “So, yeah, I thought, okay, I’ll leave you to it.”
When McCartney’s interviewer suggested that Mescal could replace him on his next concert tour, the musician shared a wry response.
“Yeah, that’s a great idea… Not,” McCartney deadpanned.
