My Magazine Cutout of The Beatles The Xavierite
After seeing the recent casting for the upcoming biopics on the members of The Beatles, I heavily questioned the choices. While biopics are important for the storytelling of historical figures, the key components in a successful one is its casting and actors dedication.
There was a plan to produce four separate biopics about each member of The Beatles. The casting included Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.
I noticed very quickly that the resemblance of the actors to the members of the band were not very accurate. It felt as if they were chosen because of their current rise in popularity and their known heartthrob fame.
I do love these actors from their previous works, but because of their lack of resemblance, I hope they can make it up through an accurate portrayal of each Beatle.
I understand that looks don’t always equate to a great performance, but fame doesn’t either. Casting directors can get caught up on an actor’s “star power” because it can bring numbers into the box office.
By using these actors, producers can naturally expect younger audiences will run to watch these films whether they know The Beatles or not.
Obviously from a business perspective this decision is quite smart, but there is a lingering worry that choices made in the name of profit undermine the subject of the biopic. In the end, it’s disrespectful to the historical figure.
Especially in a movie about a specific icon, they should be honored in the best way possible without another icon overpowering their story.
Actor Timothee Chalamet was casted to play a biopic about Bob Dylan, which had many mixed reactions because people were unsure if his performance would do enough justice since he was popularized for his looks.
However, once the film came out, Chalamet received large amounts of praise for his spot on impression as well as the amount of work he put into embodying Dylan in the end.
The work he put into becoming Bob Dylan is a prime example of what cast members should be doing. He watched videos observing Dylan’s mannerisms, singing voice, and took about 5 years mastering the guitar.
Similarly, actor Val Kilmer put in extensive preparation to play the role of Jim Morrison in the biopic of The Doors. This involved extensive musical preparation to match Morrison’s vocal style and even a physical transformation.
Taking this into account, people who are being casted in a biopic need to have this type of huge dedication toward researching the icon, so they can portray them in the truest way possible.
Both of these actors delivered a successful performance that people enjoyed watching because they were able to perfectly mimic these artists as if they were actually on screen.
Surface level traits aren’t the only factors to consider either when it comes to embodying these figures. It is also important to understand their struggles and motivations so that their grit can be shown in the film.
If an actor only focuses on the surface level of who they need to portray, it will end up coming out as shallow and inauthentic. A person is more than their surface level, for there is always another level that needs to be dug into.
Once both of these factors are considered and incorporated, an actor will be able to give a performance that has depth and emotion. The audience will be able to further understand the story and feel the emotional weight of it.
It also is worth recognizing that household Hollywood names don’t always need to be on the table for casting. Unfamiliar and lesser known actors have the ability to bring justice and depth to a role just as well.
Additionally, this decision can eliminate the chances of popular stars overpowering the story of the biopic and even give a small actor a chance to debut their talents.
In all, biopics are so significant in helping spread and share the story of an individual that brought many people joy. Whether they are dead or alive, they should be honored in the best way possible because these films are preserving their image, their legacy.
When time goes on, these biopics might be all that’s left of their stories. Older audiences can look back and reminisce on these people, meanwhile, younger audiences can have a chance to learn about the historical significance of someone they weren’t around to know.
Casting directors should always prioritize the impact an actor will have on the role, because it’s affecting how someone’s story is being told. When done right, the biopic can be transformative and powerful enough to make a lasting impression on its viewers.