Opinion: Why Awkwafina Should Play Ringo Starr In Upcoming Biopic

By: Gracie Silberman

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – On March 31, 2025 Variety announced the cast of the upcoming 4-part Beatles biopic directed by Sam Mendes. And the choice for dreamy drummer Ringo Starr? Only the LEAST Ringo-tastic man of all time – Barry Keoghan. To that I say: c’mon, Awkwafina was right there!

Awkwafina embodies everything Ringo Starr stands for, including following in his occupational footsteps. Ringo Starr famously narrated the hit classic Thomas The Tank Engine while Awkwafina voiced every other animated character in existence.

We know Awkwafina can sing. “The Scuttlebutt” from the hit Disney remake The Little Mermaid has been streamed 8 billion times and that’s just from my Spotify wrapped! Her angelic buttery voice as she sings “I know a lot of really fat pigeons” embodies the lyricism, peace, and love that radiates through Ringo Starr.

Barry Keoghan simply doesn’t have the X Factor that radiates from Awkwafina and Ringo Starr. He’s drinking Jacob Elordi’s bath water while fumbling Sabrina Carpenter and Awkwafina is speaking in a questionable blaccent. I think we see a clear winner. Akwafina could star in Eternals but Barry Keoghan could never be Nora from Queens. 

Barry Keoghan isn’t even from Liverpool and frankly I don’t think he has the acting chops to act like a native. Awkwafina already has a tea and crumpet in hand when asked about how she would embody Ringo Starr if cast, “I would make the strong acting choice of abandoning the Liverpoolian accent altogether. I think my accent is more of a Beatles vibe” Awkwafina clarified. Barry Keoghan could never take artistic risks like that.
When asked about the topic Ringo Starr said, “I think I should play Ringo Starr. I’ve been doing it long enough.” A disappointing comment. He obviously hasn’t seen Kung Fu Panda 4. Sometimes you gotta separate the art from the artist. Peace and Love.