Words by Paul McCartney
Graphic by Press

Talking with Billboard former Beatle Paul McCartney has offered new insight into the Beatles problematic final film Let It Be, a version of which is currently being re-edited by Lord of the Rings director Pete Jackson.

“The director,” Paul began, “tells me that the overall impression is of friends working together, whereas because it was so close to the Beatles’ breakup, my impression of the film was of a sad moment.”

Within 18 months of shooting the film, the Beatles had disbanded, with the relationships of John, Paul, Ringo and George fracturing in most specular fashion.

“Something’s going to come out from that footage,” Paul noted, perhaps with a hint of resignation. “It won’t be called Let It Be, but there will be something.”

While the new version of the film, announced in January this year has yet to be given a firm release date, it will most likely arrive sometime around May 2020 to mark the 50^th anniversary of the original Let It Be and the Phil Spector produced album of the same name.

During his conversation with Billboard McCartney also reflected upon the Beatles’ success.

“We were just trying to get better and develop,” he recalled. “That was the force behind the Beatles: We’d do one song, and it’d be a hit, and instead of doing another with the same formula, we’d say, ‘OK, we’ve done that.’ You listen to the Beatles’ output and no two songs are alike.”

McCartney also talks about publishing deals, surprise appearances, working with Kanye West, reuniting with Ringo Starr onstage earlier this year and his current project, preparing the score for a musical adaption of 1946 film It’s A Wonderful Life.

You can run your eyes across the full interview here.

Paul McCartney recently penned an open letter in favor of vegetarianism. He also cameoed on Ringo Starr’s most recent, and possibly final, album What’s My Name?