Paul Dano is to play Brian Wilson, the legendary singer/songwriter from The Beach Boys, in an upcoming biopic, LOVE & MERCY.
2012 was a great year for Dano, as he starred in RUBY SPARKS and LOOPER. Playing the man behind some of the most beloved pop songs in history will no doubt make him the A-Lister he deserves to be, as well as having awards thrown at him from every angle. LOVE & MERCY will be directed by Bill Pohlad, who is returning to the director’s chair after producing such acclaimed works as Ang Lee’s BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (2005) and Terence Malick’s THE TREE OF LIFE (2011). What’s even more exciting is that Atticus Ross has been brought onboard to ‘design the film’s soundscape,’ and creating the music for a film about Brian Wilson will be quite a challenge for anybody. Ross worked with Trent Reznor on the David Fincher movies THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (2011) and THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010), the latter of which secured Ross and Reznor an Oscar for Best Original Score.
Wilson has led an interesting life to say the least. He was the driving force behind The Beach Boys’ ‘Pet Sounds,’ which is considered one of the greatest albums in history. He also had his living room filled with sand so he could feel it between his toes as he sat at his piano. The man himself seems very excited about the project, in particular the casting;
“I am thrilled that Paul Dano has signed on to play me during one of my most creative explosions and most fulfilling musical times in my career,” said Brian Wilson. “I still can’t believe how cool it is that my life will be portrayed on the big screen and to have Bill Pohlad as the captain of the Sloop John B is amazing! It just makes me feel so humble. I can’t wait to see it with a full tub of buttered popcorn.”
Dano will be one of two actors to play Wilson, as an yet un-cast thesp will play the iconic figure in the later part of his life. Who do you think should play the elder Brian Wilson? My money’s on Bill Nighy.
We will keep you updated with any further developments. In the meantime, enjoy the boys at their best.
Source: Collider
