Could you imagine a world without The Beatles? Well, that’s exactly the premise to Richard Curtis’s latest film Yesterday, directed by Danny Boyle and starring Himesh Patel in the lead role. We were lucky to be involved at the London press junket for the film, where we interviewed the aforementioned trio.
Patel told us how thankful he was they took a punt on him, and why he feels moving from soap opera (he’s been in Eastenders) to cinema is a very achievable aim. Boyle explains why he felt the actor was perfect for the role, and also talks about directing another relative newcomer, in the form of Ed Sheehan, who, he admits, didn’t know who Boyle was when they first met.
Boyle also goes on to discuss his own style as a director, and why he always seeks to they new things. Meanwhile with Curtis we discuss our love for The Beatles, and on collaborating with Boyle on this project. We also ask if he too would pass off another writer’s work as his own, and so we go for the obvious choice and throw William Shakespeare in the mix.
Watch the full interviews below:
Synopsis
Jack Malik is a struggling singer-songwriter in an English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading, despite the fierce devotion and support of his childhood best friend, Ellie. After a freak bus accident during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to discover that The Beatles have never existed. Performing songs by the greatest band in history to a world that has never heard them, Jack becomes on overnight sensation with a little help from his agent.
Yesterday is released in cinemas across the UK on June 28th
