Actor Aaron Eckhart has joined the cast of The Drummer for Unclaimed Freight Productions and director Randall Miller.

Jody Savin will write the biopic, which centers on The Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson. The movie will focus on the last six years of his life before he died in 1983. Aaron Eckhart will also serve as executive producer, and will perform songs from Dennis Wilson's 1977 solo album, "Pacific Ocean Blue."

Dennis Wilson drowned while staying in Marina Del Rey, California, after drinking all day and diving in the afternoon to recover items he had thrown overboard at the marina from his yacht three years prior.

Director Randall Miller and writer Jody Savin last collaborated on the 2008 indie comedy Bottle Shock. Here's what Randall Miller had to say about Aaron Eckhart's casting.

"We'd been trying to figure out who the right person would be to fill this role. It's quite a demanding role so it had to be a great actor who could sing."

Production is scheduled to begin in late spring or early summer on The Drummer.