The Drummer, a biopic about Dennis Wilson, the drummer for The Beach Boys, appears to be a no-go after some more bad news. The trust representing Dennis Wilson which includes two of his children who were attached as producers, appears to have backed out over misgivings on the film’s trajectory. This comes after actor Aaron Eckhart backed out of the lead role last year. Eckhart had spent six months learning to sing and play piano and drums in preparation for the role, but announced that he was too exhausted from filming I, Frankenstein to begin work on The Drummer, which had been scheduled to start shooting in June 2012.
The film would have followed Wilson’s final years before he drowned on December 28, 1983 at the age of 39. Along with the movie, a six minute version of Wilson’s ‘Holy Man’ featuring Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), and Brian May and Roger Taylor (Queen) may never get released. Those looking for consolation may wish to pick up a collection of bootlegged and other previously unreleased Beach Boys material on Made In California, which Capitol Records released in August.
Audiences can judge for themselves if I, Frankenstein was worth the sacrifice of The Drummer on January 24, 2014. Meanwhile, Unclaimed Freight Production, which had been backing The Drummer, has shifted its resources to Midnight Runner: The Gregg Allman Story.
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