David Benioff has signed on to pen the untitled Kurt Cobain project being developed by Working Title, Reveille Motion Pictures and Universal.
Many of the details of the biopic of the Nirvana frontman still are in early conception stages, so it is unclear what form the narrative would take and how Nirvana music will fit into it. Benioff will use as a reference the 2001 book “Heavier Than Heaven,” by Charles Cross, which the production recently acquired.
Also unclear is whether Courtney Love, Cobain’s widow, would appear onscreen. Love is on board as executive producer, along with Howard Weitzman, who at one time was vice chairman of Universal Studios and now is an attorney who reps Love.
Working Title’s Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan and Reveille’s Ben Silverman and Graham Larson are on board to produce.
Cobain and his band helped usher the age of grunge rock, and their song “Smells Like Teen Spirit” became the anthem to a generation. Cobain struggled with drug addiction and the increased pressure of being a spokesman for a whole segment of society, and was found dead in his home in 1994. Although labeled a suicide, his death and its circumstances have taken on mythic status.
Cross’ book, while attempting to be a definitive biography, was criticized at the time for not having the involvement of Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl or Cobain’s mother.
Several attempts have been made to bring Cobain’s story to the big screen, though none have come to fruition. Director Gus Van Sant based his 2005 movie “Last Days” on what may have happened in Cobain’s final days.
Benioff wrote the upcoming Marc Forster drama “The Kite Runner,” as well as “Troy” and “25th Hour,” which was based on his own novel. His upcoming credits include “Wolverine” and “Brothers.”
He is repped by CAA, Management 360 and attorney Gretchen Rush.
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