There are few figures in modern music than can claim as interesting a life as Beach Boys founder/producer/singer Brian Wilson. So it’s surprising that no one has managed to make a film based on his life, at least on the fictionalised front. That seems set to change now Oren Moverman, who wrote and directed The Messenger and, more meaningfully wrote Bob Dylan-based pic I’m Not There, has been hired to craft a script based on Wilson’s story.
Producers Bill Pohlad and John Wells have bought the rights to Wilson’s life from the musician and his wife Melinda, along with the all-important rights to the iconic songs that pushed the man into the musical hall of fame.
Wilson’s professional life began better than most as the young Brian became the driving force behind the Beach Boys, pumping out hits such as Surfin’ USA, I Get Around and California Girls. Their 1966 album Pet Sounds is still considered one of the most important ever released.
But he also battled personal demons and, when an ambitious project called Smile was scrapped in 1967, he fell into depression, mental illness and substance abuse. He also came under the dubious care of a doctor named Eugene Landy, who has since been hailed as a hero for helping him through rehab, and as a catastrophic influence in his life that made him worse.
Since those days, Wilson has recovered and written several more albums as a solo artist and with side groups. He’s been touring for years.
"I have no interest in making a biopic," Pohlad tells the LA Times. "What's fascinating to me is to look at the different elements in his life, like that super-creative period when he was doing Pet Sounds and the later part when he was redeemed."