Janis Joplin biopic: Cast, songs, production issues, release date, rumours about long-awaited film

11 September 2024, 15:50

She possessed one of rock music's most distinct voices.

Yet, quite surprisingly, there has never been a bonafide biopic made about the life and career of firebrand Janis Joplin.

Tragically dying at the age of just 27 in 1970, Joplin became one of many rock music-related tragedies of the era, dubbed the '27 Club'.

The other "members" of the sad club including The Doors' Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, and even Amy Winehouse have all been given the biopic treatment., but Janis has not.

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Now, after years and years of mooted silver screen adaptations, it seems like a biopic for the 'Piece Of My Heart' legend has been given the go ahead.

From the cast, the songs, production issues, and rumours about long-awaited film, here's everything you need to know:

1. What is the title of the Janis Joplin biopic?

   

   As it stands at the time of writing, there is no working title for the mooted Janis Joplin biopic.

   Very little is known about the project thus far as it's still in the early stages of pre-production.

2. Will Janis Joplin’s songs feature in the biopic?

   

   Janis Joplin - Cry Baby (Live)

   It's still unclear if the green-lit biopic will feature the songs of Janis Joplin.

   Historically, the Joplin estate has been a major sticking point when it comes to the production of a biopic.

   It has been hyper-selective about sanctioning the use of her catalogue, likely why there has yet to be an official biopic about the 'Mercedes Benz' singer.

   If reports are to be believed, it seems that this time around that won't be the case, though there is no official confirmation from her estate at the time of writing.

3. Who is starring as Janis Joplin?

   

   In a major breakthrough for the project, it's been confirmed via Variety that Shailene Woodley has been cast as the lead in the Janis Joplin biopic.

   The Fault In Our Stars actress is 32 years old, five years older than Janis when she tragically passed away.

   It's still unconfirmed whether or not Woodley will sing herself in the biopic.

   In a statement accompanying news of her appointment, Woodley seemed overwhelming positive about the prospect of the biopic going ahead.

   "I have a feeling Janis would be smiling ear to ear zipping down the PCH in her psychedelic Porsche, knowing her story is bringing opportunities and funding to the city and people that held so much significance in her life."

4. Who is directing the Janis Joplin biopic?

   

   No director is attached to the Janis Joplin biopic at the time of writing.

   The company backing the film however is Temple Hill Entertainment, responsible for films such as Neil Armstrong biopic First Man and the Twilight franchise.

   Along with news of Woodley's casting, it was also announced that the project will receive $2.5 million in funding from the California Film Commission.

   The biopic is expected to shoot over the course of thirty days, spending approximately $10 million in "qualified expenditures".

   Lead actress Shailene Woodley said: "California meant so much to Janis Joplin – from the stoops of San Francisco to the wooden walls of Sunset Sound.

   "The state became the stage upon which she explored not just the world of music, but the world of her vibrant humanity.

   "Being a Los Angeles native myself, and having grown up working alongside industry locals, knowing our film will be created with some of the most gifted, passionate, and devotional people leaves me giddy."

5. Is there a release date for the Janis Joplin biopic?

   

   At the time of writing there is no release date set for the Janis Joplin biopic.

   The project is still in very early stages so it may be several years before anything comes to fruition on the big screen.

6. What other attempts have there been to make a Janis Joplin biopic?

   

   Bette Midler - The Rose (HD music video 1979)

   There have been numerous attempts to bring Janis Joplin's story to the silver screen over the years since her death, yet her estate have frequently proved to be a stumbling block.

   In 2010, Arrival star Amy Adams was attached to portray the singer in the never-shot Janis: Get It While You Can.

   Six years prior to that, Zooey Deschanel was in talks to play Janis in The Gospel According to Janis, before falling out with producers and being replaced by Pink. The pop star later mused: "Janis doesn’t want it to happen."

   She might've been right, given the mooted Piece Of My Heart biopic before that had Melissa Etheridge, Brittany Murphy, and Renée Zellweger all attached to the lead role with The Silence Of The Lambs and Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense director Jonathan Demme in talks to helm the project before it fizzled out.

   Famously, the first major - failed - attempt to bring Janis back to life was a 1979 film called Pearl, a title taken from her second solo album which was released three months after her death.

   Joplin's estate refused to permit the use of her music, though it didn't affect the success of the film that was eventually made.

   Renamed The Rose, they used entirely original music and cast Bette Midler as the lead, an inspired decision which landed her an Oscar for her debut turn on the big screen as the fictional Mary Rose Foster.