Aaron Eckhart has landed the leading role in a new biopic about Beach Boys star Dennis Wilson tentatively titled The Drummer.

The drama hails from Randall Miller and Jody Savin, the team behind indie Bottle Shock, which starred Chris Pine and Bill Pullman. Drummer will tackle the last six years of Wilson’s life before his alcohol induced drowning in Marina Del Rey, California in 1983. His death occurred shortly after the singer-songwriter released what is now known as his masterpiece 1977 solo album, Pacific Ocean Blue . Eckhart, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the Beach Boy, will also sing and play piano in the film, which will start shooting in Spring/Summer in California and Meddin Studios in Georgia.

Eckhart will also serve as a producer on the new film along with Wilson’s children Carl and Jennifer have signed on as co-producers. Wilson’s immediate family has also consented to the films creation, adding a great deal of authenticity and authority to the biopic.

This is not the first time the infamous Beach Boy has been portrayed by an actor on screen. Chris Jacobs played him in Helter Skelter and Bruce Greenwood was Wilson in TV movie Summer Dreams: The Story of the Beach Boys. More casting details will be announced in the coming weeks, including who will play famous former Fleetwood Mac star Christine McVie, who Wilson had a significant relationship with.

Source Credit: Rollingstone.com