Ringo Starr Is Officially In The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Beatles fans, rejoice—Ringo Starr is very much involved in the upcoming four-part Beatles biopic! The legendary drummer told The New York Times that he recently spent two full days in April 2025 with director Sam Mendes, going through one of the scripts line by line. “He [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 shared, referring to his late ex-wife, Maureen Starkey Tigrett. “That’s not how we were. I’d say, ‘We would never do that.’”

While Starr didn’t specify which of the four planned scripts he reviewed, it’s clear he wasn’t shy about speaking up. He gave Mendes “extensive notes,” especially about scenes involving his family and first wife. Still, Starr ended on a high note with his trademark sign-off: “But he’ll do what he’s doing, and I’ll send him peace and love.”

Barry Keoghan as Ringo—And the Rest of the Cast

So who’s stepping into Starr’s iconic shoes on screen? That would be Barry Keoghan—yes, the same actor who played Druig in Marvel’s Eternals. Starr previously told Entertainment Tonight that he’s happy with the casting: “I believe he’s somewhere taking drum lessons, and I hope not too many,” he joked.

Keoghan will star alongside Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. The biopics, dubbed “The Beatles — A Four Film Cinematic Event,” will each focus on one band member’s perspective. Mendes will direct all four, with the films intertwining to tell the band’s full story. Sony Pictures is releasing the first film in 2027. Mendes himself called it a dream gig, saying, “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.”

Ringo, Mephisto, and Marvel Confusion

Now, here’s where things get a little wild—no, Ringo Starr is not joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, despite what you may have seen online. While it’s true that Barry Keoghan is a Marvel actor, the Beatles biopics are being produced by Sony Pictures and are in no way connected to the MCU. They’re even being jokingly called the “Beatles Cinematic Universe.”

However, there is a strange Marvel comic twist. In Marvel lore, Ringo once made a deal with the devil—literally. The demon Mephisto claimed: “For example, out of the Forbes one hundred richest list, I’ve made a deal with a hundred of them, plus fourteen kings, three popes, and also a Beatle. Ringo.” The comic also featured a Skrull impersonating him.

So while he may be a Marvel character in some parallel universe, the real Ringo Starr is staying firmly in Beatles territory. And he’s making sure the story on-screen is one he actually lived.