The actor, who has made his name with acclaimed roles in Shameless, The Last King Of Scotland, and Atonement, now looks set to bag the lead role in the Nirvana film.

Reports about the film, which Courtney Love will executive-produce, emerged earlier this month, after Universal Pictures apparently secured the rights.

The film will be based on Charles Cross's acclaimed book, Heavier Than Heaven, which was based on hundreds of interviews with the dead rock legend, his friends, and his family.

Troy screenwriter David Benioff is thought to be putting together the script, although there as yet no word if the other members of Nirvana will be consulted.

Since his suicide in 1994, Kurt Cobain has been the subject of numerous big screen interpretations, namely Gus Van Sant's Last Days in 2005.

Also due for release shortly is A.J. Schnack's About A Son, which incorporates 25 hours of interviews with the star, against an atmospheric cinematic backdrop.