Sean Penn to Return to Surfer-Dude Roots with Biopic of Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz

Remember that year-long break Sean Penn is taking from acting?  That “break” apparently only applies to being on-set and/or actively shooting films about Three Stooges and/or Cartel(s) because Variety is reporting that the two-time Academy Award winner is in talks to produce/star in an untitled project about surfing legend Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz.

The project, also being produced by Alan and Gabe Polsky (Bad Lieutenant) and penned by Paul Feldsher (producer of The Four Feathers), will revolve around Paskowitz’s turn from successful medical practitioner to surfing icon (doctor-surfer: not quite emo-vampire sexy, but sexy nonetheless). Back in March, it was rumored that Penn might play surfing mentor Rick “Frosty” Hesson in Curtis Hanson’s biopic of surfing legend Jay Moriarty.  For more info on how Penn’s “Jeff Spicoli magic” was instrumental in getting Paskowitz’ story to the big screen, hit the jump.

According to Variety, over the course of two decades, multiple producers including Matt Weaver (The Heartbreak Kid) and Graydon Carter (Surfwise) have tried and failed to secure the rights to the story of the legendary surfer who is now 89-years-old.  With this in mind, only after the Polsky’s were able to attach Mr. Spicoli himself to the project, did Paskowitz’s family finally give their blessing to the project.

What else can you say? Even 32 years after their debut, the Penn/Spicoli combo is a very persuasive one. Of course, we will have more details on the project as they become available. In the meantime, try and enjoy that break of yours, Mr. Penn.