‘Shōgun’ star Anna Sawai rumoured to play Yoko Ono in Sam Mendes’ Beatles movies

Posted On February 3, 2025February 3, 2025

Anna Sawai, one of the breakout stars of FX’s Shōgun, is rumoured to be in the running to play Yoko Ono in Sam Mendes’ ambitious Beatles project.

In the last few years, Sawai has rapidly gained recognition thanks to roles in the AppleTV+ shows Pachinko and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. She then won the Emmy Award for ‘Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series’ and the Golden Globe for ‘Best Actress – Television Series Drama’ for her starring role as Lady Mariko in Shōgun. However, her biggest role yet may be just around the corner.

According to Hollywood insider Jeff Sneider, of the popular InSneider newsletter, Sawai is being eyed by director Mendes for the pivotal role of Yoko Ono in his upcoming four-part Beatles biopic. No other information is available at this time, and Sawai hasn’t officially commented on the rumour.

No casting announcements have been officially made for the films, which will reportedly give each Beatle their own separate connecting biopic, but several names have been heavily rumoured to be playing the Fab Four.

Babygirl star Harrison Dickinson is supposedly the first choice to play John Lennon, while Gladiator II’s Paul Mescal is tipped to play Paul McCartney. Saltburn’s Barry Keoghan is supposedly up for Ringo Starr, while two names have been associated with George Harrison: Joseph Quinn (A Quiet Place: Day One) and Charlie Rowe (Red Band Society).

Of course, Ono will play an extremely important role in the project, as the Japanese artist, singer, and activist has always been a lightning rod for discourse in the Beatles fanbase.

It remains to be seen whether there is any truth to the Sawai rumours, but Sneider does tend to have his finger on the pulse of the industry, so there may indeed be something tangible backing up his report.

Related Topics