The late, great Beach Boy Dennis Wilson will be the subject of a biopic that is currently in pre-production.
Filmmakers Randall Miller (director) and Jody Savin (writer) are planning a film that will focus on the later years of Wilson's life leading up to his death in 1984 from drunk diving (yes, diving).Miller and Savin are reportedly working closely with Wilson's family and hope to have the film released in time for the group's 50th anniversary next year.
"Dennis was a pained and tortured soul, yet brilliant and loved dearly by so many who knew him. This film has the makings of a tour-de-force performance in the hands of the right actor," director Randall Miller was quoted as saying.
"The soundtrack will feature Dennis' music from Pacific Ocean Blue as well as previously unreleased Dennis Wilson music and music from the Beach Boys as well. The music is another character in the film and we are proud to have Rosenberger [of Warner-Chappel Music] and the Wilsons along as our producing partners to help guide the music."
Wilson was the only member of the Beach Boys who actually surfed. He spent time hanging out with Charles Manson and the Manson Family and even recorded some of Manson's music at his brother Brian Wilson's studio.
Dennis Wilson rarely sang on stage with the Beach Boys, only sang lead on a few tracks and was not a regular songwriter for the band. He released one solo album 'Pacific Ocean Blue' in 1977. In 2008 the album he was working on at the time of his death, 'Bambu' was released, unfinished.
Follow the author Tim Cashmere on Twitter.
