Sean Ono Lennon recently sat down for an interview with Grammy.com to share his efforts to keep the Beatles’ legacy alive in today’s visual media. He reflected on projects like Em Cooper’s music video for ‘I’m Only Sleeping’ as well as his ‘War Is Over’ animation and said working on band-related stuff was ‘exciting.’ The artist continued:
“And a big challenge, obviously, because I don’t [hesitates] want to f*ck up. [Laughs.] But it’s been a real honor. And I’m very grateful to my mom for giving me the freedom to try all these wacky ideas. Because a lot of people are like, ‘Oh, when are you going to stop trying to rehash the past with the Beatles, or John Lennon?’”
Sean created the short film based on John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s peace anthem ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ as part of his mission. He explained:
“Because the modern world is as it is, I feel like we have a responsibility to try to make sure that the Beatles and John Lennon’s music remain out there in the public consciousness, because I think it’s really important. I think the world needs to remember the Beatles’ music, and remember John and Yoko. It’s really about making sure we don’t get lost in the white noise of modernity.”
Thoughts About Upcoming The Beatles Films
‘War Is Over’ received the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film at the 2024 ceremony. Sean Ono Lennon talked about a new Beatles project by Sam Mendes at the event’s red carpet and jokingly said Emma Stone should play his father.
Mendes announced four films about each member earlier in the year. Sean commented on the upcoming biopics as follows:
“I’m not much of a filmmaker – I guess I am now – but I do think with someone as famous as my dad, it’s very hard to cast a film like that.”
He noted the success of 2007’s ‘La Vie en Rose’ and 2004’s ‘Ray,’ adding:
“So, you can pull it off, and I think we’re going to do a good job, so I’m excited.”
The artist also released a new album called ‘Asterisms’ in the middle of the Beatles and John Lennon-related works. The genreless instrumental record came out through John Zorn’s Tzadik Records in February 2024.