Actor-director Farhan Akhtar is stepping into a new world. He is set for his grand Hollywood debut in a massive new project based on The Beatles.

On Thursday, Sony Pictures revealed fresh casting details for The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event. Farhan will play Ravi Shankar, the legendary musician who became close friends with the band and hosted them in India during the 1970s.

The four-part biopic is being directed by Sam Mendes. Each film tells the story from the point of view of one band member. Harris Dickinson will play John Lennon, Paul Mescal is Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn is George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan is Ringo Starr.

The 52-year-old’s casting has surprised many fans. This is his first international film role, after a small cameo in Ms Marvel in 2022. Details about his filming schedule are still not known.

The supporting cast is also packed with big names. Lucy Boynton plays Jane Asher, Morfydd Clark is Cynthia Powell, and Harry Lawtey appears as Stuart Sutcliffe. Saoirse Ronan, James Norton, and Anna Sawai are also part of the project.

When the films were announced, Mendes said he felt “honored” to tell the band’s story.

“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,” he said.

Filming is underway and expected to wrap this year. The films will release worldwide in April 2028.