Hollywood star Russell Crowe is reportedly set to make his directorial debut on a biopic of comedian Bill Hicks.
The Antipodean actor was rumoured as long ago as 2008 to be attached to a film biography of the iconic stand-up's short life, but is now moving behind the camera.
Sydney's Telegraph quoted screenwriter Mark Staufer as saying: "It is a huge role for someone, made all the more special, or downright scary, by the fact the director is an Oscar-winning actor like Russell."
Indiewire claims that production on the movie is set to begin next year, with Staufer - an old school friend of Crowe's apparently - verifying that the project was going ahead.
Staufer said: "Bill Hicks' life is tragically short, but spectacularly interesting.
"The screenplay has gone through a number of drafts and we'll go into production early next year."
Hicks, who was known for his caustic wit and scathing cynicism about modern society, died in 1994 following a struggle with cancer. He was 32 years old.