As the world eagerly awaits the unprecedented four-part Beatles biopic directed by Academy Award-winner Sam Mendes, former Beatles drummer Sir Ringo Starr has revealed that he personally stepped in to clarify key parts of the script — particularly those involving himself and his late wife, Maureen Starkey Tigrett.
As the world eagerly awaits the unprecedented four-part Beatles biopic directed by Academy Award-winner Sam Mendes, former Beatles drummer Sir Ringo Starr has revealed that he personally stepped in to clarify key parts of the script — particularly those involving himself and his late wife, Maureen Starkey Tigrett.
Speaking in a candid interview this week, Starr shared that he reviewed early drafts of the screenplay and requested revisions to ensure the portrayal of his life — especially his personal relationship with Maureen — remained respectful, authentic, and true to history.
“I have no issue being honest about the highs and lows,” Starr said. “But I wanted to make sure Maureen was shown with the love and dignity she deserved. She wasn’t just a footnote in my life — she was a huge part of it.”
A Four-Film Cinematic Event
Directed by 1917 and Skyfall filmmaker Sam Mendes, the Beatles biopic is one of the most ambitious music film projects in cinema history. Each of the four films will be told from the unique perspective of one of the Beatles — John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr — giving viewers four distinct vantage points on the rise, fame, and eventual breakup of the most influential band in music history.
The project, backed by Sony Pictures and scheduled to roll out in 2026, is being developed with the full cooperation of the Beatles’ estates, including surviving members McCartney and Starr. Each film is expected to delve deeply into the personal and creative journeys of the bandmates, shedding new light on well-known events and uncovering untold moments.
Ringo Takes a Stand
While Starr has publicly supported the project since its announcement, he recently disclosed that he requested specific changes to the script after reading how certain events — including the early days of Beatlemania and his tumultuous marriage to Maureen — were portrayed.
“I understand dramatization, but this is our story. It’s my story. And I didn’t want it to veer into speculation or sensationalism,” Starr said. “Maureen was 18 when we married. We were young, in love, and under unimaginable pressure. That deserves more than a dramatic shortcut.”
Starr emphasized that he was not trying to “sanitize” history but wanted to avoid lazy caricatures. According to insiders close to the production, Mendes and the writing team were fully receptive and made the requested adjustments.
One such moment involved a scene set during the height of the band’s global fame in the late 1960s, when rumors and media pressures were testing the couple’s relationship. Early drafts had, in Starr’s words, “taken liberties” with Maureen’s role and implied tensions that didn’t reflect reality.
Respecting a Complex Love Story
Ringo and Maureen married in 1965 and had three sons together before divorcing in 1975. Though their marriage faced struggles — including Starr’s battles with alcoholism and infidelity — the two maintained a close relationship even after their split. Maureen remained a quiet yet significant presence in Ringo’s life until her passing from leukemia in 1994 at just 48 years old.
“She was a mother, a friend, a rock,” Starr said. “Even when things weren’t easy between us, she was always there for our kids. That’s what I wanted this film to show — not just the gossip, but the truth.”
Filmmakers Respond with Care
A spokesperson for Mendes and Sony Pictures confirmed that the creative team welcomed Starr’s input and were “grateful for his perspective.” The films, they said, aim to strike a careful balance between dramatic storytelling and historical accuracy, using primary sources, private interviews, and personal archives from the Beatles themselves.
“There’s no intention to create a tabloid version of The Beatles,” the spokesperson stated. “Our goal is a rich, layered exploration of these men as artists and as human beings.”
Fans React with Support
Fan reaction to Starr’s intervention has been overwhelmingly supportive. On social media, users praised him for advocating for his late wife and helping preserve the integrity of the story.
“Ringo has always had the biggest heart,” one fan wrote on X. “Glad to see him standing up for Maureen and making sure the story is told right.”
With production well underway, The Beatles Biopic Anthology — as the unofficial title is currently known — promises to be an emotional, revealing, and deeply personal cinematic event. Thanks to Ringo’s involvement, viewers can expect a portrayal grounded not just in history, but in humanity.
As Starr himself put it:
“It’s not just about music — it’s about who we were. And I want that to be remembered the right way.”
