Brian Wilson biopic

[Shady]

Forget all of the casting and scripting. The only way a "movie" can do justice to Brian's story is in a documentary form. Paging Martin Scorsese....

Amen, or Paul Thomas Anderson

[Emdeeh]

Heehee, they could always do one in animé! Then all you need is good voice actors. 

Personally, we've already had two bad BW biopics, we don't need a third (imho).

[the captain]

... or Paul Thomas Anderson

At least we know it wouldn't be too short.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Personally, we've already had two bad BW biopics, we don't need a third (imho).

I didn't think the first two were THAT bad, but there were parts I would've done differently or concentrated on more.

I think the first thing you think of when doing a Beach Boys or Brian Wilson documentary is making sure you include as much of that great music as possible. Well, of course. Brian Wilson = music. But there is so much of the STORY (I hate to put it this way, but tragedy) that has not been explored enough. I mean, the story of Brain and his family is a tragic one. I would like to see what a good film maker could do with that.

[the captain]

OK, while I'm already on record (probably often, if you were to look around enough) as not wanting a biopic, if it HAD to happen, I'd hope they'd make it the most limited work possible. There is no way a 40-year story would be anywhere near complete enough to please fans. If it had to be done, I'd like to see a good director and a great cast do a film of, say, 1965-67 (Today! through Smiley Smile), or maybe even more narrow. I think that any attempt to cover all those years, all that music, all those changes, all those characters ... a single movie would never do it justice. Ever.

[Sheriff John Stone]

There is no way a 40-year story would be anywhere near complete enough to please fans.

Yes, that would be THE major stumbling block. Unless you do a two parter. But, does Brian Wilson's story (not as POPULAR as Elvis, Beatles, Dylan, et al) command that? I'm asking that question of people outside BB/BW message boards of course....

[matt-zeus]

On the back of the BB85 album there is a group shot and Brian is thin and with a beard - he looks exactly like Chuck Norris!
I always thought Matt Damon could play Al, Joshua Jackson has Mike Loves speaking voice.
Though to be honest, i've never seen one rock biopic that i've enjoyed, I know they've been making them for decades but I just don't think it's a genre that works for me.

[donald]

The time span problem could be solved using sequences where scenes sometimes have years between them.
I'm thinking of bicentenial man with Robin Williams.  From the day he was delivered as a new robot to the day he died as a "man".  Covered generations actually.  You don't have to show every day for 65 years of a life to do a bio.

As for casting someone not a look alike, I agree that it can work just fine.  Kevin Spacey is a great example.
And Gary Busey looked nothing like Buddy Holly.

Some actors are so amazing in their range that they are readily acceptable in a role you wouldn't have imagined they could do.

Anybody read the book Bridges of Madison County and imagine the casting before Clint got hold of it?
I had Redford and Isabella Rossillini in mind..     I would never have imagined Eastwood and Meryl Streep.  Meryl pulled it off perfectly.  Clint I'm not so sure 

[pixletwin]

I just finished Stebbins' book about Dennis and I say "forget Brian... I wanna see a D.W. biopic." 

[donald]

I just finished Stebbins' book about Dennis and I say "forget Brian... I wanna see a D.W. biopic." 

That would have to be "R" rated and couldn't be made for TV, unless it was shown on one of the upper tier cable channels.   "Mommy, what is a golden cocksman?"

[Pretty Funky]

As I said on Ego when the project first discussed. Colin and Tom Hanks. Young and older Brian,


http://www.iwatchstuff.com/images/2006/03/tom-colin-hanks.jpg

I can see Colin as young Brian, but can't really picture Tom Hanks as older Brian...don't know why, it just doesn't seem to fit to me.  I feel like I would be watching it thinking "that's Tom Hanks" instead of "that's Brian Wilson".

Whenever I see Tom Hanks all I can think of is "stupid is as stupid does", "Lt. Dan!", "I was always thinkin' 'bout Jenny", "Bubba was my best good friend", "mama always told me life is like a box of chocolates", "Vietnam is this whole other country", and countless other Gump catchphrases.

Perfect! Just think of Hanks and add "Hmmm, Cake" and "My wife and manager thought it would be a good idea"  and you get the picture.

[Alex]

As I said on Ego when the project first discussed. Colin and Tom Hanks. Young and older Brian,


http://www.iwatchstuff.com/images/2006/03/tom-colin-hanks.jpg

I can see Colin as young Brian, but can't really picture Tom Hanks as older Brian...don't know why, it just doesn't seem to fit to me.  I feel like I would be watching it thinking "that's Tom Hanks" instead of "that's Brian Wilson".

Whenever I see Tom Hanks all I can think of is "stupid is as stupid does", "Lt. Dan!", "I was always thinkin' 'bout Jenny", "Bubba was my best good friend", "mama always told me life is like a box of chocolates", "Vietnam is this whole other country", and countless other Gump catchphrases.

Perfect! Just think of Hanks and add "Hmmm, Cake" and "My wife and manager thought it would be a good idea"  and you get the picture.

Did Brian really say "Hmmm, cake"?
And Brian's not dumb like Gump, he just has a tendency to slur his speech, his voice is whacked out because off all the coke and cigs he did in the 70s and early 80s, and he's usually always nervous in front of cameras.

[Mahalo]

I could play Phil Spector in a small but relevant part. I have his nose, his hair, and his love for the wrecking crew.....I'd just be a little taller and a little stronger....but give me a suit and Ray-Bans, forget about it. Him or Rocky Pamplin....

[gsmile]

If they had done this film sooner, Alan Ruck from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" would have made an excellent Brian.

[petsite]

What we need it a week long mini-series.

[Jonas]

an hbo series would be great.

we've actually talked about this before

[Joshilyn Hoisington]

If a biopic does come to fruition, Chris Noth should definitely play Steve Kreisman/Douglas.

[Alex]

Verne Troyer could play Al!