3 Beatles Movies That Never Got Made

The Beatles made several acclaimed movies. In fact, they almost became just as known for their off-kilter, tongue-in-cheek acting skills as they were for their music. But, for every Beatles movie that did get made, there are several that didn’t come to fruition. Check out three such movies–from book adaptations to original ideas–below.

[RELATED: Paul McCartney May Be Planning to Give a Beatles Song Its Live Debut at His 2024 Tour Kickoff Concert in Uruguay]

3 Beatles Movies That Never Got Made

1. A Talent for Loving

In the mid-’60s, film producer Walter Shenson had the idea to drop the Fab Four into a western setting–horses, gunslingers, and all. While it would’ve been fun to see the Beatles in a movie where they wore boots and spurs, A Talent for Loving never got off the ground. The Beatles “no-ed” the idea of being cowboys by way of Liverpool.

I’ll give you all I’ve got to give
If you say you love me too
I may not have a lot to give
But what I got I’ll give to you
I don’t care too much for money
Money can’t buy me love

2. The Jungle Book

While the original Jungle Book was certainly made, it didn’t feature the Beatles as the filmmakers originally intended. There is a scene with vultures that look markedly similar to our beloved British rock band. That likeness was intentional as they hoped the Beatles would voice the birds. In the end, the foursome decided to skip out on being apart of the Disney classic, but their influence is still very much accounted for.

And when you’re lost in dire need
Who’s at your side at lightning speed?
We’re friends with every creature comin’ down the pike
In fact we never met an animal we didn’t like!

3. The Lord of Rings

Thirdly, on our list of Beatles movies that never got made, we have this ambitious book adaptation. John Lennon once had the goal of adapting The Lord of the Rings with the Fab Four in the titular roles with Stanley Kubrick in the director’s chair. On paper, that seems like one wild ride of a movie. Unfortunately, we will never know what that looks like in practice. Kubrick found the novel too heady to work on the Silver Screen. He would be proven wrong a couple of decades later when Peter Jackson got his hands on the material.

The Magical Mystery Tour
Is waiting to take you away
Waiting to take you away

Roll up
Roll up for the Mystery Tour
Roll up
Roll up for the Mystery Tour

Photo by Roy Cummings/THA/Shutterstock