The River Road founder first revealed the long-gestating project to Screendaily last summer and has hired Oscar nominee Oren Moverman to write the screenplay.

Pohlad secured the life rights to Wilson and his wife Melinda. Wilson was the driving force behind The Beach Boys and is widely regarded as a genius, albeit one who has struggled with mental illness.

He wrote more than 15 Top 40 singles and the acclaimed Beach Boys album Pet Sounds prior to a nervous breakdown during the making of the follow-up album Smile.

It is understood the project will focus on Wilson’s work, his fight with mental illness and his loving relationship with Melinda.

Pohlad, who produced Terrence Malick’s Palme d’Or winner The Tree Of Life, will produce with John Wells Productions and Jim Lefkowitz will take an executive producer credit.

Moverman just completed Rampart, which he co-wrote and directed and reunites him with Woody Harrelson from Moverman’s The Messenger. The filmmaker is currently working on the Untitled Kurt Cobain Project for Working Title and Universal.

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