Dude, Sean Penn So Takes on Surf Legend Doc Paskowitz

Many moons ago, a young actor named Sean Penn made a household name for himself playing the quintessential surf dude Jeff Spicoli in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." It was, in a word, awesome.

Every conceivable acting award (and one marriage to Madonna) later, Penn is back on the beach. Variety.com reports that Penn is in negotiations to take on surfing icon Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz. Sometimes life has the simple circular beauty like a wave moving out to sea and then hitting the shore once again.

Anyone who knows the documentary "Surfwise" knows about the nomadic beach existence of the Paskowitz clan. Paskowitz is a cult hero after stepping away from the big-time medical gig (hence the nickname) and hitting the road with a camper, a wife and nine children. They've been hanging 11 ever since.

Penn, who once insisted on an at-home photo shoot at his Airstream camper where he was having a cookout with his celebrity pals, can certainly relate to the beauty of the pick-up-and-go lifestyle. That trailer died in the Malibu fires. But making the movie will no doubt re-stoke the passion.

Penn's close friend Paul Feldsher will write the screenplay.

Besides having awesome potential in its own right, the movie might just have an important added benefit -- giving Spicoli the post-"Fast Times" dramatic recognition the dude was due.

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