Rising star Anna Sawai, acclaimed for her performances in Shogun and Pachinko, is reportedly in advanced talks to join the cast of the much-anticipated Beatles biopic.
According to Variety, Sawai is expected to portray Yoko Ono — the artist, singer-songwriter, and widow of John Lennon. Ono and Lennon married in 1969, and their relationship became one of the most talked-about in music history until Lennon’s tragic death in 1980 outside their New York home.
If finalized, Sawai will star opposite Harris Dickinson, who has been confirmed to play John Lennon. Her potential involvement adds another layer of depth to the film, given Sawai’s reputation for bringing emotional complexity and authenticity to her roles.
Alongside her, The White Lotus actress Aimee Lou Wood is in negotiations to play Pattie Boyd, the model who inspired iconic songs like “Something” and “Layla.” Boyd met George Harrison, portrayed by Joseph Quinn, during the filming of A Hard Day’s Night in 1964. Their marriage, which began in 1966, ended in divorce in 1977 after the Beatles disbanded.
The ensemble cast also includes Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney. The Beatles biopic, described as the “first …-able theatrical experience,” is slated for release in 2028, promising a fresh cinematic take on the world’s most legendary band.