Van Sant may direct Seattle music film

HOLLYWOOD, March 10 (UPI) -- Director Gus Van Sant is reportedly close to signing a deal to helm "Last Days," a film that explores the Seattle grunge music scene of the 1990s.

Best-known for directing dark, provocative films like "Drugstore Cowboy," "My Own Private Idaho," and "Elephant," Van Sant achieved more mainstream success with "Good Will Hunting," the 1997 film based on Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Oscar-winning screenplay.

Van Sant is close to signing a deal for making "Last Days" with Michael Pitt set to star and HBO Films on board to finance, sources told The Hollywood Reporter.

Van Sant has a previous relationship with HBO after working together on "Elephant," which was inspired by the Columbine High School massacre.

Pitt and Van Sant are known to have been collaborating on the project for several years, the trade paper said.