Van Sant originally wanted Ledger for 'Kool-Aid'

As you may have already heard, Gus Van Sant is currently developing “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test,” based on the book by Tom Wolfe.

The story follows author Ken Kesey and a group called the Merry Pranksters as they drive cross-country in a DayGlo-painted school bus dubbed Furthur. Now guess what they’re spending most of their time with: thinking about life with the help of LSD and other psychedelic drugs.

In a recent interview with MTV, Van Sant talked about who he originally wanted to cast for the lead role. “Unfortunately, Heath Ledger was a pretty obvious choice, and he’s gone,” he said.

When asked about whom he is considering at the moment, Van Sant said “there’s the opportunity that it could be Jack Black.”

Right now though, the director is waiting for screenwriter Dustin Lance Black to finish the first draft. Black and Van Sant already collaborated on "Milk."

I'll keep an eye on this one and will let you know as soon as I learn more.

Van Sant to direct ‘Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test’

Director Gus Van Sant and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black are reteaming for Fox Searchlight’s “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.”

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film is based on the book by Tom Wolfe and follows author Ken Kesey and a group called the Merry Pranksters as they drive cross-country in a DayGlo-painted school bus dubbed Furthur.

Now guess what they’re spending most of their time with: thinking about life with the help of LSD and other psychedelic drugs.

Van Sant and Black recently worked on the upcoming drama “Milk,” which stars Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, California’s first openly gay elected man to be voted into public office.

“Milk” arrives in theaters Nov. 26, 2008.