Paul Dano To Play Brian Wilson In Beach Boys Biopic

Actor Paul Dano will play Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson in a movie biopic of the singer and songwriter.

Dano, who has starred in Little Miss Sunshine and There Will Be Blood, will star as a young version of Wilson, whilst another actor, who is yet to be hired, will portray the musician in his later years.

The film, which is currently titled Love and Mercy, will encompass all of Wilson’s life and work, and will focus on Wilson’s battle with drug addiction, as well as his toil with mental illness.

It’s set to be directed by Bill Pohlad, who most recently was involved as a producer for Terrence Malick’s divisive The Tree Of Life. The script has been written by Oren Moverman, the writer of the Bob Dylan biopic, I’m Not There, whilst Atticus Ross, who provided the soundtrack for The Social Network, is lined up to create the music for the film.

Brian Wilson has backed the decision, saying that he is “thrilled” with Dano’s casting. Wilson also added, “I still can’t believe how cool it is that my life will be portrayed on the big screen.”

Rumours have already started to circulate that the movie will take an unconventional approach to the most important moments in Wilson’s life. The Beach Boys achieved huge success in the early 1960’s with a series of hits which included “Surfin USA” and “California Girls” before Wilson, who created most of these songs, suffered a mental breakdown just after the release of their album Pet Sounds.

Do you think Dano will make a good Brian Wilson?