Can you talk about adapting your own book for the screen?
They initially approached Dan Fogelman, who’s a very established screenwriter. And he actually flipped it back to me and said he thought I should do it. At that point I just assumed I was talking to someone who was insane, and that this would be a terrible mistake.
Can you discuss casting the two versions of Brian Wilson?
Bill Pohlad: Casting the Brian-future role was a little more complicated than the Brian-past, actually.
Why did you choose to tell this particular story?
The first thing people say when they see me – since I’m a young guy – is you made this?
What made the story right for a modern day interpretation?
Nicholls: I think if you pitch the story – an independent woman has to choose between three different contrasting men while maintaining her independence – I think that would feel very modern and contemporary.
How did you arrive at Nathan being this weightlifting, heavy drinking, bro-ish guy?
If the people you’re interacting with are physically intimidating and intellectually intimidating and also very rich, it doesn’t leave you much room to maneuver.