MTV says Emile Hirsch will be channelling grunge god Kurt Cobain for his role in Catherine Hardwicke’s ‘Hamlet.’

In Hardwicke’s version, which begins shooting soon, Hamlet is a “credibility-sensitive” indie musician and college student instead of a vengeful prince.

She told MTV, “It’s a modern-day film, set at a liberal-arts college where words matter — so people are careful and talk in beautiful language, and Hamlet tries to express himself through music.”

A music lover herself, Hardwicke is probably the first director with a desire to combine the legendary spirits of the Nirvana frontman and the Bard. The idea is to create something new and geared towards a young audience.

Perhaps not for purists, Hardwicke says, “We’re using some of the cooler Shakespeare language, in a musical way. [My Hamlet] is like an [aspiring] rock star. He’s got six people that go to his performances, go to clubs and listen to him. It’s like an early Kurt Cobain.”

Another obvious inspiration was Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Romeo + Juliet’ (1996)

Emile Hirsch has been preparing for the role by taking singing and guitar lessons. He says he is excited and “just loves” the poetry of Shakespeare.

The project promises other intriguing elements as well. Hirsh recently told Collider.com that Hardwicke’s modernized version of the ghost story is “almost like mixing ‘Hamlet’ with ‘The Shining.’”

(Photo by PR Photos)