Paul McCartney was reportedly approached to be the subject of a Netflix roast but ultimately declined the offer, according to a report from Variety.

The streaming platform had initially considered the former Beatle as a major target for its expanding roast franchise before Kevin Hart fronted the latest live event.

Jeff Ross, known as the “Roastmaster General” and executive producer of Netflix’s roast specials, confirmed the approach during an interview. He described the idea as a “fantasy roast,” adding that McCartney would have been an ideal subject due to his global reputation and widespread admiration.

“We did ask Paul McCartney at one point,” Ross said, noting that while the musician “doesn’t need anything,” a roast centred on him would have been highly entertaining. The Netflix roast franchise began in 2024 with the widely discussed Tom Brady special, which set a high benchmark for future events and earned award recognition.

For the most recent installment, Kevin Hart took centre stage in Los Angeles, with comedian Shane Gillis hosting the live event. The special continued Netflix’s strategy of pairing major celebrity figures with high-energy, unfiltered comedy formats designed for global streaming audiences.

Ross also hinted that future potential targets could include artists such as Drake and Stevie Wonder.