Troy screenwriter David Benioff has signed up to pen the script for a forthcoming film about Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.

The movie will be based on Charles Cross’ 2001 biography Heavier Than Heaven after Universal Pictures secured the rights.

According to Reuters, Cobain's widow Courtney Love and her attorney Howard Weitzman will act as executive producers.

Cross' book was criticised on its release for failing to include contributions from Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl or Cobain's mother. It is not known whether Grohl will be involved in the movie because of his tempestuous relationship with Love, who recently claimed that her late husband had "loathed" him.

It was reported earlier this year that Ewan McGregor was in talks to take the lead role.