Paul Dano As Brian Wilson? Actor Set For Beach Boys Film, 'Love & Mercy'

Can You See It? Paul Dano As Beach Boy Brian Wilson
US actor Paul Dano from the movie "Ruby Sparks" poses at a photo call at the Locarno Film Festival Locarno, Switzerland, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012. The 65th Locarno Film Festival runs from Aug. 1 to 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Keystone, Urs Flueeler)
US actor Paul Dano from the movie "Ruby Sparks" poses at a photo call at the Locarno Film Festival Locarno, Switzerland, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012. The 65th Locarno Film Festival runs from Aug. 1 to 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Keystone, Urs Flueeler)

Paul Dano ("There Will Be Blood," "Ruby Sparks," "Looper") will play the role of Brian Wilson in a forthcoming movie about the Beach Boys, THR reports. Bill Pohland will direct "Love & Mercy," a film that will focus on Wilson's life.

The movie depicts Wilson's career trajectory and his relationship with his wife, Melinda. Wilson's well-documented struggle with mental illness also figures prominently in the script. Two actors will actually play Wilson in the film. Dano will portray the younger Wilson, and the older has yet to be cast.

Pohland previously produced "The Tree of Life" and "Into the Wild."

The Beach Boys had a dramatic 2012, coming off of a hot reunion tour and subsequently splitting up. Member Mike Love elected not to include three other members in post-50th Reunion Tour events, releasing the following statement: "The post-50th anniversary configuration will not include Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and David Marks. The 50th Reunion Tour was designed to be a set tour with a beginning and an end to mark a special 50-year milestone for the band.

Such news brought great consternation for many fans, as Wilson is a particularly beloved member of the group. At the time of Love's statement, Wilson -- who wrote many of the band's classics -- said he was blindsided. "I'm disappointed and can't understand why he (Love) doesn't want to tour with Al, David and me," he told CNN. "We are out here having so much fun. After all, we are the real Beach Boys."

For more on the movie, head over to THR.

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