Paul, Paul, and Barry

Paul Mescal is playing Paul McCartney (they even have the same initials) in Sam Mendes’s four-film project about The Beatles, scheduled for release next April. All four on the same day – at least that’s the plan right now, it’s supposed to be a “binge-able theatrical experience”.

For those who are actually going to binge, that would mean at minimum eight hours at the cineplex, and whatever the ticket price is x four. I can tell you right now that won’t be me, for bathroom reasons alone. Some of us have to navigate through life with a small bladder and an aversion to public toilets. Then, on top of that, there’s the cost. Not that I’m trying to dump on this project – I actually have a lot of admiration for this level of ambition – and it’ll probably turn into a thing on social media, those who decide to document their Beatles binge, I’m already curious about what that will look like. I’m just saying I’m not built for it, so I will see these films, for sure, but it won’t be all at once.

To go back to Paul and Paul, they were seen spending time together in London the other day.

@ire.mccartney Paul McCartney and Paul Mescal in London, how cute || #paulmccartney #paulmescal #thebeatles #biopic #london ♬ real love - sandy

Apparently they were filming a documentary. This weekend, though, Paul will be in Los Angeles as he’s a confirmed presenter at the Oscars on Sunday and of course will be cheering on co-star Jessie Buckley, the overwhelming favourite to win best actress for her performance in Hamnet. There’s a very good chance Paul’s name will be heard multiple times that night, both when he takes the stage to present and also when Jessie’s presumably accepting her award.

Meanwhile, Barry Keoghan, who is playing Ringo Starr in The Beatles movies, was at the Peaky Blinders premiere last night. Barry’s been busy shooting the films but in general, for over a year now, he’s kept a really low profile. Two award seasons ago, after the release of Saltburn, he was living in LA, a regular on the awards circuit, and also dating Sabrina Carpenter. It was a lot of Barry for a while there. And then he seemed to retreat – and has remained in retreat, so much quieter. Probably a good decision for his mental health. It’s heady, that first rush of stardom. And then so many of them realise, especially now in these TikTok times, that celebrity comes with a level scrutiny and constant performance that takes its toll. That’s not to say that this is what Barry experienced, but it’s also a familiar story. And we’ve seen so many actors of his generation recalibrate once they get a taste of the upside and also the downside.