Filming for Sam Mendes’ highly anticipated Beatles movie project continued in Liverpool on Monday 5 October, with another part of the city transformed to recreate the Fab Four’s early years.
New images show a large-scale period scene being filmed around the former Liverpool College of Art, now part of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA).
The street was filled with vintage vehicles and scores of supporting artists dressed in period clothing, recreating Liverpool at the time when John Lennon was studying at the art school.
Actors portraying a young John Lennon and Paul McCartney were also seen walking together outside the building carrying guitar cases, offering another glimpse at how the new films will explore the band’s formative years in the city.
John Lennon’s Liverpool College of Art years
The location has a genuine connection to the Beatles story.
John Lennon entered Liverpool College of Art in 1957, where he met fellow art student Stuart Sutcliffe, who would later become an early member of the Beatles.
Paul McCartney, meanwhile, attended the neighbouring Liverpool Institute for Boys alongside George Harrison.
Liverpool John Moores University records that McCartney and Harrison would cross over to the College of Art at lunchtime to perform with Lennon and Sutcliffe in the college canteen, during the period when Lennon’s group was still known as The Quarrymen.
Today, both historic buildings form part of LIPA’s campus. LIPA is based across the former Liverpool Institute for Boys and the former Liverpool College of Art, with the latter now known as The Art School.
That makes the latest filming particularly significant, with scenes apparently being recreated in and around the same part of Liverpool where Lennon, McCartney and Harrison spent time during the years before the Beatles became famous.
Around 100 extras involved in Liverpool filming
The latest shoot appears to be one of the larger Liverpool scenes filmed for the project so far.
Around 100 supporting artists were understood to have been involved, with the surrounding streets populated by students and other characters in late-1950s and early-1960s-style clothing.
Vintage cars were also positioned along the cobbled streets, helping transform the area back to the period.
Images from the set show actors portraying Lennon and McCartney walking through the crowds while carrying instrument cases.
The precise moment from Beatles history being recreated has not been officially confirmed, so it remains unclear whether the scene depicts a particular documented event from Lennon’s college years.
The Beatles return to Liverpool on screen
Liverpool has played a major role in filming for the ambitious project, with several locations connected to the Beatles’ real history being used.
Recent filming has included scenes around Liverpool Town Hall, where the production recreated the band’s famous 1964 homecoming, as well as Gambier Terrace, where John Lennon lived with Cynthia Lennon during the band’s early years.
The latest Art School scenes continue that focus on using genuine Liverpool locations closely connected to the band’s story.
Sam Mendes is directing The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, which will consist of four interconnected feature films, each telling the story from the perspective of a different member of the band.
The project stars Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.
Harry Lawtey has also been cast as Stuart Sutcliffe, while Morfydd Clark will portray Cynthia Lennon.
The four films are being produced by Neal Street Productions in association with Apple Corps for Sony Pictures, with the theatrical releases currently planned for April 2028.
The project marks the first time Apple Corps Ltd, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison have granted full life-story and music rights for a scripted Beatles film project.
For Liverpool, the continued filming is providing a fascinating glimpse into how some of the most important locations in Beatles history are being recreated for the big screen.
