John Mayer has let the world in on a “secret” while performing at the Rise For The River charity concert: his song ‘Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967’ from the 2012 album Born & Raised is currently being turned into a feature-length movie.
“I want to say one thing that might get me in trouble, ’cause that’s what I do,” John Mayer said after a rendition of ‘Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967’ on stage at Pine Creek Lodge, Montana.
“That song is soon to be a major motion picture. It’s true. It’s true. It’s going to be a movie.”
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‘Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967’ is a rare example within the discography of John Mayer due to the fact it tells the story of a fictitious person as opposed to being a personal anecdote — which is probably why it was chosen to receive the movie treatment.
The song follows the eponymous Walt Grace, a man who – against all odds, against all doubts – builds a homemade submarine to escape his humdrum life. It’s something of an earnest examination of human loneliness, about seizing one’s own destiny, and [SPOILERS] ultimately ends with Mr Grace becoming a legend among the hometown he leaves behind.
While details are sparse at this stage, as pointed out by Slash Film, a short film adaptation of the song is listed on IMDb as being in active development with actor/writer/director Justin Wheelon at the helm. The listing also outlines a 2020 release date, which Wheelon has clarified is “definitely wrong” in a Reddit thread. For whatever reason, IMDb refuses to let him update the project’s status to “pre-production.”
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Justin Wheelon previously revealed he was eyeing Joel Murray for the role of Walt Grace, explaining how the younger brother of Bill is “such a good actor and has that everyman kind of look.” Joel Murray is most notably known for his contributions towards shows such as Mad Men, Shameless, and Dharma & Greg, as well as the satirical black comedy God Bless America.
Since John Mayer’s spill, however, Wheelon’s representatives have declined to comment about the upcoming “major motion picture.” It’s unclear whether any of the above will remain the case.
This wouldn’t be the first time a John Mayer song has been adapted for screens, either. Back in 2019, ‘The Heart of Life’ served as the very basis for an ABC sitcom which ultimately nowhere. And in related news, last year, Variety reported Mayer himself was in talks of hosting his own late night talk show for Paramount+.
Anyway, for the uninitiated out there, you can listen to ‘Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967’ below (lyrics included).
[Verse 1]
Walt Grace
Desperately hating his whole place
Dreamed to discover a new space
And buried himself alive
Inside his basement
Tongue on the side of his face meant
He’s working away on displacement
And what it would take to survive
[Pre-Chorus]
Because when you’re done with this world
You know the next is up to you
And his wife told his kids he was crazy
And his friends said he’d fail if he’d try
[Chorus]
But with the will to work hard
And a library card
He took a homemade, fan-blade
One-man submarine ride
[Verse 2]
That morning
The sea was mad and I mean it
Waves as big as he’d seen it
Deep in his dreams at home
From dry land
He rolled it over to wet sand
Closed the hatch up with one hand
And peddled off alone
[Pre-Chorus]
Cause when you’re done with this world
You know the next is up to you
And for once in his life it was quiet
As he learned how to turn in the tide
[Chorus]
And the sky was a flare
As he came up for air
In his homemade, fan-blade
One-man submarine ride
[Verse 3]
One evening
When weeks had passed since he’s leaving
The call she planned on receiving
Finally made it home
She accepted
The news she never expected
The operator connected
The call from Tokyo
[Pre-Chorus]
Cause when you’re done with this world
You know the next is up to you
Now his friends bring him up when they’re drinking
At the bar with his name on the side
[Chorus]
And they smile when they can
As they speak of the man
Who took a homemade, fan-blade
One-man submarine ride
