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http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/06/brian-wilson-movie-pet-sounds-moverman-wells-pohlad-beach-boys-smile.html


EXCLUSIVE: There are few 20th century music figures as compelling as Brian Wilson. The former Beach Boys producer-singer had a profound effect on a generation of artists and a rich and complicated personal life even by pop-icon standards. Now it looks like his tale will be dramatized on the big screen.

"The Tree of Life" producer Bill Pohlad and veteran television writer and producer John Wells (“ER,’ “The West Wing”) have teamed to develop a drama based on Wilson's personal and professional story. They've acquired life rights from Wilson and his wife, Melinda, and hired Oren Moverman, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter behind the offbeat Bob Dylan film "I'm Not There," to write a script.

(Wilson was the subject of a documentary, the black-and-white "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times" directed by musician and record producer Don Was in the mid-1990s.)

Wilson's arc is too complex to describe in a few neat sentences, but the short version, if you're not familiar with it, is this: Barely out of his teens, the Southern Californian burst on the music scene as the creative driving force of the Beach Boys. That band produced hits such as"Surfin' U.S.A.," "I Get Around" and "California Girls." Their 1966 album "Pet Sounds," with its unconventional instruments, harmonies and sound effects put together by Wilson, is widely regarded among pop's most important records. 

But things went downhill from there, particularly after an ambitious project called "Smile" was scrapped in 1967. Wilson grappled with all sorts of demons throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including substance abuse and a mental illness.

During that time, he also came under the care of a controversial and Svengali-like doctor named Eugene Landy, who was credited with both rehabbing the musician and ruining him further. Wilson would eventually return to health and has cut several new albums in recent years. He's on tour and celebrated his 69th birthday Monday.

While the filmmakers have yet to decide which periods of Wilson's life their as-yet-untitled movie will focus on, they say they will home in on specific eras instead of retracing the musician's entire life. "I have no interest in making a biopic," Pohlad told 24 Frames. "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." The Landy era could be a subject as well, Pohlad said.

While filmmakers are far from hiring actors, Pohlad said he could imagine a number of possibilities, including the idea that different stars could be brought on to play Wilson (at various points in his life, not in the vein of "I'm Not There," where multiple actors portrayed different Dylan phases).

Rights to many of Wilson's songs have been secured — producers are working closely with Wilson and wife Melinda — but Pohlad said the tunes will inform the story, not dominate it. "We're not thinking about this as the hit parade — that would be the biopic thing," he said.

Pohlad is no stranger to based-on-real-life stories, having produced films such as "Fair Game" and "Into the Wild."  Moverman, meanwhile, seems to be honing a specialty in portraying complicated musicians — in addition to writing "I'm Not There," he is developing a film at Universal about Kurt Cobain. (Moverman made his directorial debut in 2009 with the well-regarded military drama "The Messenger.")

While music biopics along these lines have been successful — James Mangold's Johnny Cash tale "Walk The Line" comes to mind — producers see the Wilson movie less as a music picture than as a kind of tuneful  "A Beautiful Mind," exploring the intersection of genius and madness.

"You don't have to know the music here in the same way you didn't have to know the math in 'Beautiful Mind,' " Pohlad said. "What we want to do is let you experience the story in a personal way."

— Steven Zeitchik

Early plus's.

Liked 'Into the wild'.
Brians music ok'd for movie but does that include BB's music?
Use of several actors to cover his life. More realistic and may limit the use of bad beards and make-up.

Will follow progress with interest.

let the wild speculation begin.

This should be fun. Just don't cast Cate blanchett as Brian.

Seriously though, imagine this film ends up great, wins lots of Oscars etc, would be fantastic.

Looks like the Beach Boys discussion is not ending any time soon, it's gonna be a fun time on here

this is great!  quality people doing it.  Jeff Bridges will surely play an old brian.

diablo cody just let out a NOOOO

Ah, No. Poor Diablo

They should cast AGD as Jeff Bridges stand in for some scenes. lol

Sounds promising thus far, although I'd still be surprised if it actually makes it to the big screen.  We all hope that this film will be fantastic and will captivate audiences, win Oscars, etc., but I think just getting it made at all will be an achievement.

Agree.  I would love to see a well-done bio of Brian get made.  But it seems that so many have been announced and never been heard of again.  Plus there is always the litigation potential within the BB camp... But Al is singing with Mike again, apparently they have sung "Do It Again" in the studio together, so who knows, maybe there's a new spirit of cooperation that would allow a good product to be made.

'Brian' just tweeted it, so i guess that means it's supported and publicised and thus further along than some projects have been....

I hope they get Bill involved with the script! ;D
Tis a great time to be BB fan!!

What a great time to be a Beach Boys fan. Look at all the goodies coming out of the woodwork within the last year!

I really hope this movie sheds light to the masses that 'Good Vibrations' and 'Kokomo' aren't the only two great songs The Beach Boys put out.

it won't hit the general masses, but with the people involved, it should get plenty of press in movie land.  hopefully some academy award nominations

I'm Not There was, perhaps, the best movie of the past 10 years. If this ends up anywhere near that league, I will only be happy.

K o k o m o????????  :whatever :angry :wall  :o ::) :o ::)

Remember the one Brian and Landy were going to do? William Hurt as Brian and Richard Dreyfuss as Landy…

Much more detailed article with interesting quotes

http://collider.com/oren-moverman-brian-wilson-biopic/98415/ (http://collider.com/oren-moverman-brian-wilson-biopic/98415/)

This is a biopic, by definition, but Pohlad says we’re not supposed to call it that:

“I have no interest in making a biopic. 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.”

OH... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

 Biopics = :deadhorse (imho)

Man I already think it's gonna suck on the post Smile pre Endless Summer period.

and to think Brian has to leave his Euro tour to start pre-production on this!

Uh-oh! Movie of the week time. :ahh


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/river-road-prepping-brian-wilson-205150


River Road said film will take an unconventional look at Wilson's unique musical process as well as his struggles with mental illness, and how he managed to persevere as an artist with the love and support of his wife Melinda.

I hope they make this movie like PI, and have Brian anxiously avoiding Phil Spector's hit squads.

Whatever happened to the Dennis Wilson Biopic in the making that we heard of around the beginning of this year?

I'll believe this stuff when it's actually got a release date. Until then, i hope it doesn't  dissolve like the DW Biopic.

I like the idea of focusing on one specific period. There are so many to choose from. I think it would make for a great film. I really enjoyed Nowhere Boy about John Lennon's childhood.
Imagine an entire film based on the period in and around the Holland period. That could be really interesting. I am already picturing scenes with Brian staring blankly at his hotel room wall in Holland. It may sound like watching paint dry to some though.

That sounds GROSS!

Everyone else seems to, so I think I'm going to write a Brian biopic,. It will be set over the space of 90 minutes in a day in 1974 and have one camera, he will be in bed for most of the duration, only to leave to put oh his "Be My Baby" 45 or play "the pretty bit" of "Rhapsody in Blue" on his piano.

Call me an opportunist, but:

if they do it right, it might be a true hit movie, and that is because audiences (esp. the US ones) just luuurrve stories of redemption, i.e. with a wonderful comeback after a long and bad period.

And the Oscar goes to....

Mike Love for Best Supporting Actor.

Ach, get sentimental. It might sound sloppy but from what I've seen at many gigs her presence and support make a huge difference to Brian's mood and enjoyment. His productivity went sky-high when the two of them got hitched and while I suspect a few management blunders might, just possibly, be down in part to her judgement, I wouldn't have it any other way.

There might well've been no BWPS, no TLOS, no BWRG without the background of comfort and support she's provided, even from a hand's-off distance.  And if there'd been no closure via BWPS, then no Smile Sessions box either.

Possibly…

I think we should get Sylvia Symmons to write one – The Life of Brian, as Seen Through the Eyes of his Sister Maureen.   I think it would be a winner – she was marvellous in Ice Cold In Alex…

Ok so which actor do you all think should play Brian in the movie?
Alec Baldwin would be ideal if he were 20 years younger.

Jeff Bridges, as already mentioned, would be a must for Contemporary Brian.

I'm excited about this. Sounds like they want to take a more sophisticated approach than your bog standard biopics. Let's hope it sees the light of day.

Possible actors for the different stages?...

Reddi whip/stoner/smile era Brian - Seth Rogen
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfzMSo3Ch-Y/TgR6yZWZ8wI/AAAAAAAAAb4/vYwk76Svv9M/s1600/images.jpeg)


Bathrobe Brian - Phillip Seymour Hoffman, or Luke Wilson maybe ....

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--0U8TUHRqss/TgRz3uVuMjI/AAAAAAAAAbw/vnyALM52QL4/s1600/12_8_08_mid011496.jpg)



A Wilson bipoic as shot by Andy Warhol - love it!

Agreed. In 1988 already, William Hurt and Jeff Bridges were named as players of Landy and Wilson, respectively (Q Magazine). But I think we may be lucky that that didn't come true, as it would have been a Landy-supervised hagiography of Landy. Brian would have been merely some sidekick who happened to play a couple of notes and sing some words too - whilst Landy would have been potrayed as Ludwig Van himself.

mid 60's brian will be the hardest to cast i'd say as most hollywood actors aren't supposed to be chubby in their mid-20s.  wouldn't be surprised if they disregard that part.  when a director signs, we'll probably get a better idea.  but seeing as the producer of into the wild is on this, i wouldn't be surprised if someone like emile hirsch got the part.  doesn't look anything like brian, but great young actor. 

I hope to God that Seth isn't in the film. He can't act.

If they call the movie Life Of Brian it most definitely will be a winner....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVHhg67RVd4

He'd be great for the stoned and goofy 'Vosse Posse' period just before Brian wigs out. Might struggle to convey the intricacies of schizoaffective disorder though, granted.

although the time has obviously passed i think william hurt actually would have been a brilliant choice for the cleaned-up, middle-aged brian.

his sister?

I think people have mentioned him before; the guy from The Hangover as a 70s Brian.

After what has gone before, I'm not keen on any film project involving Brian or the Beach Boys. However, I'll feel a lot better if this film is more like I'M NOT THERE and CONTROL than MAMMA MIA or ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (or WALK THE LINE for that matter). The fact that I'M NOT THERE's screenwriter is involved suggests hope.

Yup… according the the Mojo '60s special!   ;D

Mickey Rourke should play Brian.

Always used to think Kurt Russell would have made a good Dennis but he's too old now, what with Dennis having died too young…


(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_n35PfUpWyak/TGJ_-RDBrwI/AAAAAAAAXLo/vX0SS2RNBmM/s1600/Kurt+Russell+6.JPG) (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_n35PfUpWyak/TGKAGW1nHBI/AAAAAAAAXMQ/12IZk3XkIFM/s1600/Kurt+Russell+4.JPG)

Agreed. He would draw so much attention to himself that the movie would be about him and not Brian...if that makes sense. Every movie I see him in I don't remember his character, I just remember him (because he virtually plays the same character over and over again). With that said I thought that Pinapple Express was one of the funnier movies I have seen.

Find a good unknown actor to play Brian. And get Danny DeVito to play Murry Wilson.

I can see a project where the bulk of the movie is set from the 90s with a main character but with short flashbacks to various stages from the 60s and 70s as these periods are pretty well known and covered.

I've said it before, Alec as Brian (now or in the mid to late 90's) and Billy Baldwin as Dennis.

Steve Guttenberg would make a great middle aged Bruce (plus they could get him real cheap). Jack Black for fat 70's Brian. And a munchkin to play Al.

seth rogen would be comically bad.  Not cause i think he's bad, just be a terrible miscast.  Just cause he plays a stoner a lot doesn't mean he could play stoner brian ha.  can you imagine how hysterical it'd be to show him singing in brian's falsetto? HA

Another version of the story:

http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/river-road-nabs-life-rights-to-beach-boy-brian-wilson-oren-moverman-scripting/ (http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/river-road-nabs-life-rights-to-beach-boy-brian-wilson-oren-moverman-scripting/)

Now THAT'S good casting!!  ;D

Rolling Stone article

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/brian-wilson-movie-in-the-works-20110624

I had no idea Diablo Coady is a huge Beach Boys fan and apparently met her husband on a BBs fan forum! Anyone who what forum and her username? :lol

I've always thought that too! When I first saw the Thing, I totally thought Kurt looked like Dennis. Even Escape from NY S.W. Plissken somewhat looks like Dennis....with an eye patch   ;)

Dennis Could of been in that movie if he had worked on his acting skills after two lane blacktop.

I am going to predict that the movie starts off with Brian laying in bed, circa mid-70's. With all the darama going on Brian begins to flash back to the 1960's or even his childhood. With this kind of approach it might be easier to squash most of the important aspects of his life into a two hour movie... whaddyathink?

I could see it starting with him backstage before the SMiLE premiere, then doing the flashbacks, and finally concluding with a standing ovation after the end of Good Vibrations, with a text discussing how he is happy with Melinda and kids now and that he recently released critically acclaimed albums TLOS, BWRG & the Disney Album.

I really hope they do a scene where Brian is in the studio recording the instrumental track for 'In The Back Of My Mind' - at the end of the song show everyone behind the glass and the session musicians looking awestruck at what they just heard...and hopefully the viewing audience will be just as awed.

I want every one of Brian's under-appreciated kick ass musical moments to be in this movie - I want the audience to get a full understanding of the genius behind the music.

I would also like them to show vocal session 5A of please let me wonder, because this video shows more of the hidden genius as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1rd9I_Wk6I&feature=related

I've never heard that before! WOW! That a cappella starting at 1:40 is breathtaking. Is that part even in the released version of the song?

The only way you could do this movie or any book justice is to get Brian to open up and talk about his feelings. By that i mean truly talk not just saying i hear voices that wants to kill me. He touched upon the core when he said in beautiful dreamer "It killed me inside, really killed my soul", more of that needs to come out to paint a fair picture and accurate picture. What did he think while recording 15 big ones, was he just tired and not wanting to participate? did he see the studio as a jukebox. How does he see the music in his head? as notes, bars, colors?

The very best thing would be to teach Brian to use a word processor and  have him type out his own bio.

I don't see that ever happening.  I have seen him in recent interviews when asked about doing his autobiography, he states that he already did, which we know he had little to do with what is out there.  I don't think Brian has any interest in re-hashing the past.

Oren Moverman is a really talented writer.  The Messenger was a great script.

However, the movie should have no more than 15 mins on any events after Denny's death.  The role of Melinda should be a cameo.

(http://)

This is my brother in law. Stick a black wig on him and he could play Brian. Only problem is he's South African. Do you think the accent might be a problem?

[attachment deleted by admin]

Good likeness for a young Brian!

I've mentioned this before but Al Pacino could be a older Brian and just re-use these lines for any mention of a BB reunion in the Bio. :lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPw-3e_pzqU

That would be some nice symmetry, Pacino is going to be playing Spector in an HBO movie pretty soon.

Perfect for the part.

I had never heard a recent Spector interview until  this youtube link last week. Creepy guy!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYBjOywJwLI

You really think he's creepy. huh. I think he's a bit "off", definitely out there for the murder, but he was indeed the "Be My Baby" sound, no doubt.
the rest of it, well, yeah. 

My God I forgot how wonderful Ronnie Spector was. Charisma and talent in spades. Love it.

Wow, Phil is nuts!

I think Phil is right....GV is an edit record, and thus loses all of its credibility as a top selling #1 single. Just kidding ;) Phil is nuts.

And he acts like Brian is the real crazy one, i don't think Brian whips out guns and shoots people. Phil should appreciate Brian because Brian gives Phil free good publicity because honestly if Brian didn't talk about Phil all the time and how great his music is, i would only know Spector for the murder trial and that would be a shame because Phil's music is great.

Keith Richards has been after her since 1964.

Slowhand got there first! ;D

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ctfacetime-pohlad-20110707,0,2606651,print.story

Facetime: 'Tree of Life' producer Bill Pohlad talks about the state of independent cinema

Pohlad, whose River Road Entertainment also produced 'Brokeback Mountain,' has made a name co-financing commercially challenging and often controversial specialty pictures at larger budgets than the independent-film world normally musters.

By Steven Zeitchik, Los Angeles Times

July 7, 2011
 
As Terrence Malick's expensive and ambitious "The Tree of Life" continues to roll out across the country, it doesn't just mark the audacious work of a veteran American director.

It represents the latest big gamble for Bill Pohlad and his Minneapolis production and financing company River Road Entertainment.

Beginning with 2005's breakout hit "Brokeback Mountain," a love story about two cowboys, and continuing with "Brokeback" director Ang Lee's racy "Lust, Caution," Sean Penn's adaptation of Jon Krakauer's haunting nonfiction book "Into the Wild," the Valerie Plame tale "Fair Game" and the family drama "Tree," starring Brad Pitt, Pohlad has made a name co-financing commercially challenging and often controversial specialty pictures at larger budgets than the independent-film world normally musters.

In the last two years, Pohlad, whose late father, Carl, was a self-made mogul and the owner of the Minnesota Twins (Bill Pohlad sits on the team's executive board), has watched many of his onetime competitors disappear and a new crop of financiers enter the independent realm. Facetime caught up with him to talk about the state of the independent market, the gamble on "Tree" and the evolution of his own company.

.....................................         http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ctfacetime-pohlad-20110707,0,4614027.story

How has your business strategy changed since you started River Road and since closing down your distribution operation Apparition last year?

When I first started [River Road] I was interested in financing films and I wasn't involved creatively. That's evolved over time. Now we're getting to a place where we want more and we're developing and fully producing, like we're doing with the [recently announced] Brian Wilson movie, as opposed to being one of those companies that's just along for the ride.

Thanks for the link Ed.

I think we can expect this Brian film to be an epic work of art.

Pumped for this movie, however Mike Love needs Michael Bay to make a movie about his life as well with explosions and car chases.

I really loved Into the Wild and Tree of Life, so if that's the team behind Brian's movie so much the better.

As long as it`s a little more like Walk Hard and less like Walk the Line I`ll be happy.

I'm holding out for the Pixar version.....

 :lol

which means you'd rather have John Reilly than Joaquin Phoenix?

I could see John C. Reilly as 70s Brian...beard and all! NPH as the Lovester. The lead singer of Iron and Wine could give acting a try and play Carl. Slap a wig on Verne Troyer and you`ve got Al covered. Maybe Joseph Gordon Levitt as Dave Marks. Ryan Reynolds as Dennis. Steve Buscemi as Manson. Stig from the Rutles could play Ricky Fataar. NPH could double or even triple as Stan and Steve Love. Michael Cera with a mustache as VDP. Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd, etc. as the Vosse Posse. Either Pitt or Clooney as Rocky Pamplin. Zooey Deschanel as Diane Rovell. Can`t forget to find someone to play "Tommy Schaefer"!

Haha, the Judd Apatow version of Brian's story.  :3d I'd dig Cera as VDP and Levitt as Marks.

And yes, the Brian scenes in Walk Hard were awesome!

(http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhx9sffa4O1qck446o1_400.jpg)

No plz.

I have doubts as to whether His Dudeness can even muster up the acting chops to tackle such an important career-making role.  :lol :lol

though, if anyone has seen the men who stare at goats, bridges is pretty much playing brian in his last scenes.  more gone though.  but he had that stone blank look down ha.

The more I think about it the comedy route could be a winner! Brian would enjoy it more.

Think about it? Some of the actors mentioned playing it straight but factual would be a cool bio!  ;D

Eh, I'd really hate the comedy route. I mean, I listen to The Beach Boys for their stunning cathedral of voices, spirituality, and genius - and I really want that reflected in a movie. I want people leaving the theatre and going straight to the record store to pick up a copy of Pet Sounds. I want people's hearts racing when they hear the outro of 'California Girls' booming from the theatre speakers.

They should make it as graphically real as possible....the music, the drugs, the fame, the loss, the climb back up a shaky ladder.

There should be some comedy, but this should be a movie about the music....not about stoner actors trying to make the movie funny...IMO.

I undersstand but when you think about it, however it is done its going to be another 'Walk The Line' or 'Ray'.

Now to have a straight faced actor say something like "Chuck....Lets get some horses into the studio!" Now thats going to be gold. :lol

You can have it both ways - The Beach Boys are funny guys!

It's going to be hard for them to portray the 70's from BW's perspective without making the band seem like massive douches, actually. But then maybe the Brian's Back thing was just a douche manoeuvre.

Or in fact, how they're going to portray the band at all - hopefully the script is good to Mike. The endorsement of Melinda leaves this up in the air.....


Needs a similar straight faced dude playing Dennis getting all excited and going 'My horse would look so bitchin' in here'  ;D

Why? I'm Not There is the anti-Walk The Line and the anti-Ray. That's why it is a much more compelling movie and it's probably also why it didn't get many award noms.

Agreed. I think this movie will be an artistic statement....there is no reason why it has to be a Clone of Walk the Line or Ray.

Throw comedy in? Why not? But make it about the music, not about the actors.

The only statement I could glean from I'm Not There is "I want Dylan's balls in my mouth," so I'm hoping this Brian biopic is the anti-I'm Not There. I'd rather have a Michael Bay movie marathon than watch that again.

In my opinion, I'm Not There is the best movie of the last 10 years.

I just remembered that writer/director Oren Moverman prominently used Brian's BWPS version of "Good Vibrations" in a bar scene in his film THE MESSENGER (as a juke box selection), so I suspect Moverman is already a fan.

From a recent IndieWire interview:


http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/oren-moverman-says-his-brain-wilson-biopic-script-is-done-takes-unconventional-storytelling-approach

Man, I'm looking forward to this.

Amen to that!

Couldn't agree more

OSD can play 70 year old Mike  >:D

That was encouraging to read - it seems like Moverman "gets" it.  Of course, there's a long way to go between a great script and a great finished product, but at least we're starting off on the right foot.

Does he mean that the script is done? Or the filming, too?

Just the script I would imagine.  We still have yet to hear of any casting, let alone filming. 

Longtime lurker, first time poster, so forgive me if this has been covered before.

http://www.dreammoviecast.com/dream-movie-casting/brian-wilson-untitlled-biopic-casting (http://www.dreammoviecast.com/dream-movie-casting/brian-wilson-untitlled-biopic-casting)


The casting choices mentioned here are interesting.  However, I thinkt he one that I find most compelling is Luke Wilson.  He would likely have to add/subtract weight for various periods of Brian's life but I think he is an A+ actor and could definitely pull off Brian's warmth and kindness.  Probably more than most Hollywood actors.

The reference photos don't add up. Brian during the SMiLE era looked nothing like Zach Whats-his-name. That Brian became the fat bearded crazy guy that early is a myth widely circulated among the public, though.

Never heard of Michael Angarano, but he does look a lot like Brian as a young 20 something.

It's funny because when he was the kid in Almost Famous I thought he looked like Brian. And he was about 10 years old or something.

Zach G. would work if they did a "i'm not there there" type movie where actors represent different sides of the musician's personality.

Sure. Just not for the SMiLE era or the late 60's / early 70's.

Other guy fits, sure. Right, the kid from Almost Famous. :)

When I watched "Hangover", this Zach G. guy constantly reminded me of the mid-70s Brian. Zach is too short though to actually play Brian.

Crispin Glover would work if they made a movie focusing on the Landy years.

No. I want Danny Glover.

(http://www.forumcax.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Danny-Glover-9.jpg)

Danny as Brian- I'm getting too old for this bullying sh*t. :lol

Maybe they can have Crispin nearly kick the Landy character in the head like he did in real life with Letterman.

That would be awesome  :lol

Jack White could reprise his Elvis Presley role from Walk Hard when he meets Brian in the studio in 68 when Brian karate chopped him.

Does anyone think Cristoph Waltz would make a good Eugene Landy?

There are some similarities:

Brian and Landy:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OxdhMnkj0Aw/TSjeKhAL29I/AAAAAAAAAMs/nH5_dihhVM8/s1600/eugenelandy.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OxdhMnkj0Aw/TSjeKhAL29I/AAAAAAAAAMs/nH5_dihhVM8/s1600/eugenelandy.jpg)

Christoph Waltz

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3641347840/nm0910607 (http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3641347840/nm0910607)

 :thumbsup

Waltz is a little taller than Landy but there is a bit of a similarity in looks - plus Christoph's a past master at blending sleazy and sinister, which makes him very suitable to take on playing the Svengali from Steeltown.

I think I've warmed up more to Michael Angarano playing Brian.

I don't have any preference on who plays who, personally.

What I think might be an issue though is, if they make it like a typical biography, it may not work.  You can't really display what makes Brian, Brian by pointing to anything, and while I'm sure there are actors that can imitate Brian very well, nobody will be able to pull it off with all of the unspoken and assumed 'harmonies' he pulls off.  Brian can do an interview, say absolutely nothing that makes any sense, but to a Beach Boys fan, it's on another level.  Little things like mentioning Birthday Cake; or talking about "Proud Mary".... or things like in the "Beautiful Dreamer" bio where they show his buddy talking about the tee-pee in his bedroom, then cut to a video of Brian saying he used it to eat sandwiches in. 

So a straightforward Bio will miss, what to me, is the most special part about Brian.  I don't have a good answer for how to overcome this, but a movie that is more conceptual than historical may be necessary...I loved "Beyond the Sea", I know a lot of people didn't, but I think it worked very well and I'd prefer to see a movie like that than a straightforward documentary.

Luckily Oren Moverman isn't really known for the 'typical biopic'.  He of course wrote the Dylan biopic "I'm not There".  I am really hoping the BW biopic isn't nearly as esoteric as that, but somewhere in the middle between "Ray" and "I'm not There" would just about do it.

Anyone else notice Tom Hardy bears a passing resemblance to Brian?

(http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gp/Tom+Hardy+Charlotte+Riley+engaged+1riuPyr6p6wl.jpg)

(http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQdABz8i8rhaR-G_Ay3Wbi03QCDCa9mJXBybucd_fwNTa7rvuaEt7HYucjZ)

Well, let's say the movie was done more in an I'm Not There style with multiple actors playing Brian. Who'd be the female Brian (and in what context)? The black (or Latino or Asian) Brian?

A biography that tries to go through Brian's whole life just wouldn't work, and there are just too many touchy subjects that would never be signed off on.

Just focusing on 1966 and 1967 would be much more compelling. Brian is such an enigmatic figure that making him the "star" of the film would detract from his mystery. I think it would be really cool if the movie just started out with the band on tour, focusing on Mike and the guys, maybe while they were in England enjoying all the accolades being awarded to them following the release of Good Vibrations. The whole time Brian is kept off screen, just a presence, who's reporting back to the group from LA about the music he's recording.
That would be a great first act for a Brian Wilson movie. You could have a scene of Bruce playing Pet Sounds for the British press, of the band getting flack for their square image. And the contrast between the first and second acts would be really humorous and dramatic, as the band returns back to LA and finds Brian waist deep in the madness of the Smile sessions.

When I think of casting I always come back to Jonah Hill. I really think a comedic actor would be the ideal for playing Brian, but Brian is a really difficult role, he has a very distinctive personality and speech pattern.

Yeah I don't get it either.  He looks like Tim Tebow, though. 

Update:

http://variety.com/2013/film/news/graham-rogers-brett-davern-join-brian-wilson-movie-exclusive-1200503217/ (http://variety.com/2013/film/news/graham-rogers-brett-davern-join-brian-wilson-movie-exclusive-1200503217/)

"Graham Rogers (“Revolution”) and Brett Davern (“Awkward”) have joined “Love & Mercy: The Lives, Times and Music of Brian Wilson” as members of the Beach Boys.

Rogers will portray Al Jardine, and Davern will play Carl Wilson, Brian Wilson’s younger brother. The surf rock band formed in 1961 and became hugely successful by the mid ’60s."

Just to clarify...this film will be widely released in theaters, right? It's not a made-for-TV program?

Correct.

1) That Davern kid does have a slight Carl Wilson resemblance going on (if you look long and hard - and there's gonna be make-up and hairstyling for the movie as well, plus some acting), whereas Rogers is just a pretty blond boy. Nothing much jardiny about him, judging from the photos. Oh well... actors not really looking like their parts doesn't mean it's going to be a bad movie. Walk The Line was decent, and the main duo didn't look anything like Cash & Carter.



2) How about renaming the thread at hand after the actual film title? ;) Love & Mercy: The Lives, Times and Music of Brian Wilson



3) For reference purposes:

Brian Wilson

(http://static.nme.com/images/gallery/2013PaulDanoPA-9198035180113.jpg)


Carl Wilson

(http://us.cdn001.fansshare.com/photos/brettdavern/mtv-awkward-brett-davern-1509299543.jpg)


Alan Jardine

(http://oceanup.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/main_pic/images/tumblr_m5ea79FMsm1r2tx2go4_1280.png)

It's pretty cool this movie his happening.

Brian's book and this movie being released at the same time. 2015 will be a busy time for the smiley smile board.

This guy has no resemblance to Al, doesn't come even close to Al's boyish charm & grace. Plain awful choice.
It's not the 1st time of miscasting, but at least in previous BBs movies the actors who played Al had got sth. from him looks-wise, some of his signature mannerisms. 

I just did an image search to see what they look like, and with both names Google suggested to additionally search for "shirtless". This is going to be some sexy Beach Boys. Judging from the 1967 Hawaii picture of the shirtless originals, I must say these two look even less like Carl and Al when they are shirtless. :)

I'll just leave this here....

(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2013/01/paul_dano_as_brian_wilson_a_h.jpg)

Not bad huh?  I think with the right hair and clothes (and hopefully a few extra pounds) he could be a very convincing Brian.

Canadian singer Jay Ferguson would have been great to play Al but he may be too old now.

And, now Dennis and Mike have been cast.


http://www.thewrap.com/column-post/kenny-wormald-jake-abel-play-beach-boys-love-mercy-exclusive-102921

Edit: Sorry, link's not working for some reason.. Kenny Wormald and Jake Abel cast as Dennis and Mike, respectively.

Quickly checked his image & I think I'll agree with you. At least, there's some sort of similarity between him & Al. That said, Ferguson is not an actor. Musicians don't play musicians. It's a fact.

I'm discouraged to read that this is being directed by Bill Pohlad, whose chief qualification seems to be that he's the son of a billionaire and has only one other directorial credit to his name (from 1990, not well-reviewed).  The writer, Oren Moverman, also wrote the Dylan biopic "I'm Not There" which I consider to be an interesting but ultimately failed experimental film.

I think it's the best movie of the last 10 years.

It is somewhat disheartening, however he has produced a number of incredible films in recent years, including The Tree Of Life and Into The Wild....hopefully he learned something about directing while working on those movies.

It seems nobody mentioned yet that "Brian" posted on Facebook:

Yesterday (July 15th) was the first day of filming for "Love and Mercy," the Brian Wilson feature film.



On a separate note, Elizabeth Banks is not playing Marilyn as some sites assumed, but she will obviously be Melinda.

This is good news. Looking forward to what I hope is a very good film. It's also interesting that it won't be a biopic, so less talking about if I Get Around will be a smash or not and more focus on Brian as a personality. The TV films that I've seen have left little impression on me. Although the actors for Murry and Mike in American Family were convincing enough!

I see that some filming was recently carried out at EastWest Studios (formerly Western) for the movie recently.

The biggest problem I have with this casting is that Graham Rogers (Al) is taller than Paul Dano (Brian)
 :lol

If exclude the weekends, tomorrow will be the 11th filming day. Having read somewhere that the standard time of movie-making varies from 3 months to 1 year, the film would be completed in 2014, that's for sure. Then we'll wait for a theatre release, then DVD & free digital downloads. So, if my calculation is right, we'll get it in circa 2015.

That's false. There could be other logistics that make it impossible to release the film by 2014 but other than that there is absolutely no reason why a movie being filmed in the summer of 2013 couldn't be released in 2014. My guess is that we will see a Summer 2014 release.

They do LOTR stuff to fix that I'm sure of. This should not be a limiting factor. Would be hilarious to see Al talking to Brian at the same height in the studio. I would fall over laughing!

That's a fair point of view. Fingers crossed your logic does work & we'll see this movie sooner. 

I hope they don't fix it.
That would be hilarious.