Yesterday movie: All you need to know about the Beatles-themed movie

19 June 2019, 15:42 | Updated: 22 September 2023, 12:19

The Beatles are the focus of a new romantic drama from director Danny Boyle.

The film follows struggling singer-songwriter Jack, who is unable to catch his big break. He's adored by his childhood friend Ellie, who also helps out as his part-time manager.

Jack then gets hit by a bus during a worldwide blackout. He wakes up from the accident and finds himself in a world where nobody has heard of The Beatles.

He then steals their songs and finds international success, but soon has a load of obstacles thrown his way.

Watch the trailer above.

The film will be released in the UK on June 28, 2019.

Yesterday poster
Yesterday poster. Picture: Universal

The film boasts a celebrity cast led by Himesh Patel (Eastenders) and Lily James (Downton Abbey).

Ed Sheeran will also play himself in the film in a major role, while James Corden has a cameo, also as himself.

The main cast list is as follows:

Himesh Patel - singer Jack Malik
Lily James - Ellie, Jack's childhood friend and first manager
Kate McKinnon - Mandi, Ed and Jack's manager
Meera Syal - Jack's mother
Sanjeev Bhaskar - Jack's father
Joel Fry - Rocky, Jack's friend and roadie
Ellise Chappell - Ellie's flatmate
Harry Michell - Nick, Jack's friend
Sophia di Martino - Carol, Jack's friend
Alexander Arnold - Gavin, record producer
Sarah Lancashire - Liz
James Corden - himself
Ed Sheeran - himself

The renowned British film director Danny Boyle helmed the film, with the screenplay by rom-com genius Richard Curtis. The original story was written by author Jack Barth.

From the trailer, we can see that leading man Jack sings a number of Beatles classics, including 'Yesterday', 'Hey Jude', 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand' and ‘Let It Be’.

The official soundtrack will have 27 songs in total, but only a few have been confirmed so far: 'Something' and 'Yesterday'.