The creation of new biopics about The Beatles has run into a significant roadblock, as filmmakers have reportedly been prohibited from filming on the legendary Abbey Road.

Earlier this year, Sony announced the much-anticipated cast for the quartet of Beatles projects, which are slated for release in April 2028 after much speculation. The films will feature Paul Mescal, known for his role in Gladiator II, as Paul McCartney, with Harris Dickinson stepping into the shoes of John Lennon. Barry Keoghan is set to portray Ringo Starr, while Joseph Quinn will embody George Harrison in this cinematic celebration of The Fab Four.

Despite the excitement surrounding the project and with production already in motion, it appears that the filmmakers have encountered a major hurdle. Reports suggest that the production team has been denied permission to film at the famous Abbey Road crossing.

Director Sam Mendes was reportedly eager to recreate the iconic album cover from The Beatles’ 1969 release, capturing the essence of that moment on the storied crossing. However, this plan now seems to be in jeopardy due to the filming restrictions.

Sam Mendes, who is directing the films, had wanted to recreate the Beatles’ 1969 album cover on the crossing.

Westminster Council have reportedly refused permission as filming at the legendary location would force result in the road being temporarily closed, causing traffic chaos.

Gladiator II hunk Paul Mescal will play Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson will play John Lennon, Barry Keoghan will star as Ringo Starr and Joseph Quinn will play George Harrison in the films

However, with production underway, it’s now been revealed bosses have been blocked from filming at the iconic Abbey Road crossing

An insider told The Sun: ‘It’s believed they turned down the request on the basis that they’d have to shut down the road for filming to take place safely.

‘The trouble is that the huge number of tourists who visit the area often cause disruption by having their picture taken recreating the scene. 

‘That would be magnified by having dozens of cast and crew present to do the same thing for the movie. Now the producers are facing the prospect of omitting the scene as they really don’t want to rely on CGI because that would not look authentic.

‘The hope is that they kind a road that looks similar enough that they can still make it happen in some form.’

Daily Mail has contacted Westminster Council for comment.

Earlier this month it was revealed the actresses who had been cast to play the Fab Four’s wives in the biopics.

White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood, 31, will play George Harrison’s wife Pattie Boyd, while Irish Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan, 31, has been cast as Linda McCartney, the muse to many of Paul McCartney’s songs. 

Anna Sawai, 33, who has made a name for herself in the US drama series Shogun, will appear as John Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono, and British actress Mia McKenna-Bruce, 28, will play Maureen Cox, the wife of Ringo Starr. 

Sam Mendes, who is directing the films, had wanted to recreate the Beatles’ 1969 album cover on the crossing (pictured in March)

The Beatles on stage at the London Palladium during a performance in front of 2, 000 screaming fans in 1963 

Entitled The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event, the project was announced last year.

The movies will each take the perspective of one member of The Beatles as they evolve from unknowns in Liverpool in the early 1960s to becoming the biggest band in the world and then breaking up in 1970.

It’s the first time that surviving Beatles McCartney and Starr, and the families of the late Lennon and Harrison, have given the rights to feature films about them.

Announcing the female foursome, Mendes said: ‘Maureen, Linda, Yoko and Pattie are four fascinating and unique figures in their own right, and I’m thrilled that we’ve managed to persuade four of the most talented women working in film today to join this amazing adventure.’