Cusack to play Beach Boy

John Cusack is in negotiations to play The Beach Boys' troubled songwriter and founder, Brian Wilson in Bill Pohlad and 'ER' producer John Wells's indie movie, 'Love and Mercy.'

The film which looks at the life and career of Wilson, including his famous battles with mental health issues, leading to his withdrawal from public life for years.

Oscar-nominated producer Pohlad ('The Tree of Life') is producing with John Wells and Claire Rudnick Polstein of John Wells Productions. Oscar-nominated screenwriter Oren Moverman ('The Messenger') wrote the script and will executive produce with Jim Lefkowitz.

The film which is already in development will mark a return to directing for Pohlad, who after forming River Road Entertainment, wrote, directed and co-produced his first feature film 'Old Explorers.'

Other names attached to the production are Paul Dano who will play a the young Wilson, as well as Oscar-winning composer Atticus Ross ('The Social Network') who will work on the sound design of the film and the soundtrack.

It's another in a long line of recent portrayals of real life characters for Cusack who will next be seen as former US president Richard Nixon in 'The Butler'.