Hitflix is reporting that River Road Entertainment is planning a biopic on the enigmatic co-founder of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson. The production company is currently involved in Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life and last year they put out the The Runaways.
Along with the legendary music that Wilson is responsible for, the film will have plenty of interesting material to use as inspiration. They can delve into his difficult relationship with his father or the period of three years where Wilson didn’t leave his bedroom. His brother Dennis’s connection with Charles Manson and his death years later at a young age could also provide dramatic fodder. No doubt Wilson’s involvement with the controversial Dr. Eugene Landry will be touched upon as well.
Every biopic loves a good comeback (see Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, etc.) and Brian Wilson is no different. In the past decade he has released such critically acclaimed albums as the long delayed Smile and the recent Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin.
Actors such as Jack Black, Zach Galifinakis or even Philip Seymour Hoffman could be in line to play Wilson but nothing has been confirmed yet. The rights to the Beach Boys’ music could be a key hurdle that the producers need to address so it may be a while before we hear anymore on this. That being said, it definitely has me intrigued. The man’s life would make for a fantastic motion picture and I’m excited to see what kind of talent they bring on board for this one.
