'Yesterday' trailer: Ed Sheeran ribbed in first look at Danny Boyles' Beatles musical

What if the Beatles never existed, but you remembered all their songs? That’s the basic premise of Danny Boyle’s new film Yesterday, written by Richard Curtis, which features the music of the Fab Four.

Could it get any more British?

Eastenders star Himesh Patel plays Jack Malik, a young musician, who – after being hit by a bus – finds himself in a world where the Beatles never released any music. He then finds himself catapulted to fame by passing off the band’s incredible back catalogue as his own.

Universal Pictures has today released the first look trailer for the film, and it features pop star Ed Sheeran as himself, mentoring Jack on his rise to the top. Although he only appears twice in the trailer, the ‘Shape of You’ singer is the butt of the trailer’s two best gags.

One takes aim at Sheeran’s “rapping” abilities, while the other sees the ginger pop star suggesting a painfully awful alternative lyric for one of The Beatles’ most iconic songs.

Cinderella star Lily James plays Jack’s love interest, who gets left behind in the ensuing madness, while real-life couple Sanjeev Bhaskar and Meera Syal play his parents. Joel Fry is Jack’s best friend, while Ghostbusters star Kate McKinnon plays a record label big wig.

There also appears to be an alternate trailer and poster – possibly for the U.S. market – shared on Twitter.

The film shot last year, with one huge scene on Gorleston Beach – glimpsed in the trailer – requiring 5,000 extras.

Yesterday is coming soon.

Read more
First look at Four Weddings sequel
Boyle film recruits thousands of extras
Why Boyle quit Bond 25