Wilson will don an afro and take up a brush in this upcoming film.
The late Bob Ross is an enduring staple of American pop culture thanks to his 11-year run on PBS’ The Joy of Painting. It was on this show that Ross, with an afro on his head and a flannel shirt, would guide viewers through the process of painting with a smooth and calming narration. Even after his death in 1995, Ross’ image remains one of the predominant ones when it comes to TV painters.
It is this image that Owen Wilson will be evoking in his upcoming film, Paint. According to the official synopsis, Paint follows Wilson as “Carl Nargle, Vermont’s #1 public television painter who is convinced he has it all: a signature perm, custom van, and fans hanging on his every stroke… until a younger, better artist steals everything (and everyone) Carl loves.”
Owen Wilson Stars as Bob Ross in the first trailer for #Paint coming to theaters April 7 #PaintMovie #BobRoss pic.twitter.com/CqQuJGHlTP
— MOVIE-NONSENSE (@movienonsense) February 8, 2023
The rival character, an artist named Ambrosia, is played by Ciara Renée. Bob Ross is not named or mentioned in the trailer or synopsis, so the film is likely more of a mere nod to his life and career than a biopic or anything informed by real events.
Paint is scheduled to hit theaters on April 7.