LOS ANGELES — Teen heartthrob Taylor Lautner is finalizing a deal to team with Oscar-nominated director Gus Van Sant on a small-budget arthouse film, according to sources cited by The Hollywood Reporter.

The “Twilight” actor will star in and produce the film, which reportedly is based on a nonfiction article from The New Yorker.

After the disappointing critical and commercial response to his recent action flick “Abduction,” Lautner, 19, is trying to boost his credibility as an actor, sources said.

He is currently attached to several other film projects in various stages of development, including “Stretch Armstrong” and “Incarceron.”

Van Sant’s previous films include “Milk,” “Good Will Hunting” and “Elephant.”