Wild card American photographer Tyler Shields is preparing to shoot a film about Charles Manson, the man behind the slaughter of a clutch of Hollywood's golden set in August 1969.

Troubled star Lindsay Lohan has been tipped for the role of Polanski's wife, Sharon Tate, whilst Tyler himself intends to play Manson.

Shields told Entertainment Weekly that he intends to go “all the way” in depicting the visceral murder scenes on L.A.'s Cielo Drive, a crime that left five dead in what was one of the most gruesome murders of the decade.

“I want this to really hit people in a really specific place,” said the artist, who is known for his shock tactics in the fashion world.

Besides Polanski's 8-month-pregnant wife, the victims included writer and actor Wojciech Frykowski and coffee heiress Abigail Folger. Polanski was in London at the time.

The killings were carried out by the so-called Manson Family, a pseudo hippy commune that became possessed by the conspiracy theories of its leader.

Lohan, who bears a striking resemblance to Polanski's wife, may not however be able to accept the director's offer, as filming is due to commence this July, and the actress is due in court on a charge of felony.

Polanski himself has made no comment on the production, which shines a light on one of the darkest chapters of his life.

The film has a working title of Dreamer. (nh)