GUS VAN SANT - VAN SANT TO TAKE ON GRUNGE

Acclaimed director GUS VAN SANT is to chart the rise and fall of grunge music in his next project LAST DAYS.

The MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO filmmaker is close to inking a deal with HBO films to make the movie with THE DREAMERS star MICHAEL PITT in the lead role.

According to movie insiders, the script - penned by Van Sant - is inspired by the Seattle-based music scene in the early 1990s which launched bands like NIRVANA, PEARL JAM, MUDHONEY and SOUNDGARDEN.

Although Van Sant has been quick to quash rumours that Pitt will take on the role of tragic Nirvana frontman KURT COBAIN, he has admitted the film's group will bear more than a passing resemblance to the SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT rockers.

Rising star LUKE HAAS is in talks to play another member of the band.