HUGH GRANT is set to take the lead role in ABOUT A BOY after UNIVERSAL PICTURES snapped up the project.

Grant has long been in the frame to play the part of the 36-year- old slacker with commitment problems who's befriended by his latest lady's 12-year-old son.

AMERICAN PIE makers CHRIS and PAUL WEITZ are tipped to direct the movie.

The big-screen version of British author NICK HORNSBY's novel, which was shelved by NEW LINE CINEMA earlier this week (BEG22JAN01), will be produced for Universal by ROBERT DE NIRO's TRIBECA company at a cost of $30 million (£20 million).

Two of Hornsby's other books, HIGH FIDELITY and FEVER PITCH, have already been filmed.

(KW/WNWCYA/KW)

Source: WENN