Anna Sawai Shuts Down Yoko Ono Casting Rumors for Beatles Biopic!

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Anna Sawai, renowned for her role in FX’s acclaimed historical drama “Shōgun”, has addressed speculations about her potential portrayal of Yoko Ono in a series of four Beatles biopics helmed by Sam Mendes. In response to the rumors, she stated to reporters at the Screen Actors Guild Awards after receiving the award for outstanding performance by an actress in a drama series, “I believe a rumor is merely a rumor.” Therefore, it seems we may not witness Sawai as Ono in the near future.

Regarding her upcoming venture, Sawai shares that she’s yet to decide, as she’s currently evaluating various scripts and attending numerous meetings. She emphasizes the importance of making an informed choice, taking time to find a project that not only resonates with her but also delights the audience. In other words, she’s being picky to ensure everyone who watches it will be pleasantly surprised.

Shōgun’s SAG award is the latest addition to a series of prestigious accolades that the actress has received. Previously, she was honored with an Emmy for exceptional lead actress in a drama series, making her the first Asian actor to win in this category, and also a Golden Globe for the best actress in a TV drama. In total, Shōgun won 18 Emmys across various categories, including Sawai’s.

According to James Clavell’s extensive novel titled “Shōgun,” the story takes place during the 17th century. It tells the tale of John Blackthorne, a sailor from England who finds himself stranded in Japan after a shipwreck. Hiroyuki Sanada portrays Lord Toranaga, while Sawai interprets Toda Mariko, a smart and noblewoman who facilitates communication between Blackthorne and this powerful Japanese figure.

If Not Sawai, Who Could Play Yoko Ono?

Information about the upcoming Beatles films is scarce, except that each movie will spotlight a different member of the famous quartet, the Beatles. Initial rumors suggest Paul Mescal could portray Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson might play John Lennon, Joseph Quinn could depict George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan may embody Ringo Starr. However, no definitive casting decisions have been made yet, although director Ridley Scott appears to believe the reports about Paul Mescal.

For the first time, the surviving members of The Beatles, McCartney and Starr, along with the families of Lennon and Harrison, have granted complete biographical rights for a film project. Over the past several decades, numerous films about The Beatles have been made, such as “Backbeat” and “Birth of The Beatles”. Additionally, there have been multiple films focusing on John Lennon individually, like “Nowhere Boy”, “Lennon Naked”, “John and Yoko: A Love Story”, and “Two of Us”, which imagines a fictional reunion between Lennon and McCartney after The Beatles disbanded.

Previously, Naoko Mori and Kim Miyori portrayed Ono in “Lennon Naked” and “John and Yoko: A Love Story,” respectively. Determining who might portray the artist in future productions is challenging due to the vast pool of talent available. However, the extent to which Ono appears in these films could influence casting decisions. Given that upcoming Beatles films are primarily focused on Lennon, Ono may have a more significant role compared to her appearances in other movies. Yet, if the narrative follows the band’s rise and fall, Ono would likely appear later in the story since she met Lennon later in The Beatles’ career. Anticipated release dates for these as-yet-unnamed films are set for 2027.

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2025-03-01 19:33