Asa Butterfield Reveals Beatles Biopic Audition Disappointment
Sex Education actor Asa Butterfield has opened up about missing out on a coveted role in Sony's upcoming Beatles film series. The 29-year-old star auditioned for the part of George Harrison in the four separate biopics focusing on each band member, but the role ultimately went to Stranger Things and Gladiator 2 actor Joseph Quinn.
The Coveted Beatles Casting Process
In an interview with The Times, Butterfield confirmed his interest in portraying the late guitarist. "I did audition for George Harrison," he stated, though he remained uncertain about how close he came to securing the part. When questioned about being shortlisted, Butterfield shrugged and noted, "Who knows? I play bass, which was Paul's instrument."
The publication described Butterfield sounding "wistful" as he reflected on the lost opportunity. "There are roles that you really, really want," he admitted. "But I find something else comes up and you do another job which you wouldn't have been able to do."
High-Profile Rejections and Moving Forward
This isn't the first major role Butterfield has missed out on in his career. He was previously in contention to play Spider-Man ahead of the franchise's third reboot, before Tom Holland ultimately secured the iconic superhero part. Despite these setbacks, Butterfield maintains a philosophical perspective on the audition process.
"I'm pretty good at moving on," he explained. "You have your audition and after that it's out of your hands. If you're not the right person, there's nothing you could have done differently. Sometimes it's easier than others."
Sony's Ambitious Beatles Project
Sony announced the complete casting for the four Beatles biopics in April 2025, with production underway for a planned 2028 release. The ambitious project features:
- Harris Dickinson as John Lennon
- Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney
- Joseph Quinn as George Harrison
- Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr
Director Sam Mendes has described the release strategy as creating "the first binge-able theatrical experience," with all four films arriving in close succession.
Supporting Cast and Butterfield's Current Projects
The films will also feature prominent actresses portraying the important women in the Beatles' lives:
- Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd
- Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney
- Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey
- Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono
Wood, who co-starred with Butterfield in Sex Education, described the experience of transforming into Boyd as "quite intimidating" because "everyone knows these people." She told The Standard in March 2026, "I've gone and done my fittings with my blonde hair and my blue eyes. I'm really stepping into a different person. We look like them... so it's kind of trippy."
While Butterfield won't appear in the Beatles films, he has remained active since Sex Education concluded in 2023. His recent projects include the 2025 drama Our Hero, Balthazar, advertising campaigns for Uber One alongside Robert De Niro, and Netflix's psychological thriller Unchosen.
