Curtis Hanson to Direct film based on the life of Big Wave Surfer Jay Moriarity

 

The director of 8 Mile, Wonder Boys and L.A. Confidential, Curtis Hanson, will direct and new film called Jay Moriarity, based on the true adventures of the famous big-wave rider from Santa Cruz. Production Weekly says that Sean Penn in talks to play his mentor Rick "Frosty" Hesson.

While still a teenager, Moriarity took on the gigantic waves at the famous Northern California surfing spot Maverick's, where the winter swells pull in waves five stories tall. He had prodded wise surfing elder Frosty Hesson to prepare him, and after finally relenting, the local legend put Moriarity through a program of intense physical training.

Moriarity became an internationally acclaimed surfing star at the age of 16 when a cover photo for Surfer Magazine caught his longboard being lifted upward beneath him by a 25-foot wave -- the most famous wipeout ever recorded on film.

Moriarity died a day before his 23rd birthday in a free-diving accident.

I think Hanson is a great director that has made some great films, and I think he's the perfect guy to bring this film to life on the big screen.

Here is the famous wipeout. I remember when I first saw this video, that fall he takes is insane.