Big-Screen Biopic to Honour Deceased Beach Boy Dennis Wilson

BY Stephen CarlickPublished Aug 10, 2010

Beach Boys' Dennis Wilson was a quiet and unassuming figure whose lone solo album, 1977's cult classic Pacific Ocean Blue, gained importance as a window into a tortured soul after Wilson drowned in 1983 at the age of 39. Following that album's reissue in 2008, his life is set to be honoured once more with the planned release of a Dennis Wilson biopic in 2011.

As Contact Music reports, Wilson's life will be brought to the big screen by director Randall Miller and screenwriter Jody Savin, who will focus on the songwriter's torturous final years. The film is being produced by the duo in conjunction with Wilson's family, including his daughter Jennifer.

"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," stated Miller.

They also secured rights to Wilson's music, meaning much of the film's soundtrack will be made up of songs from Pacific Ocean Blue, as well as previously unreleased tracks and Beach Boys classics, according to Miller.

"The music," Miller added, "is another character in the film and we are proud to have [senior vice0president of Warner-Chappell Music Group Brad] Rosenberger and the Wilsons along as our producing partners to help guide the music."

Casting for the film has yet to be announced. Production is due to begin in January, with an aim for the film to be finished in time for the Beach Boys' 50th anniversary next year.

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