Shailene Woodley to Play Janis Joplin

Woodley is to star in a produce the new movie, which comes after many other past attempts to bring the singer-songwriter’s life to screens have failed.

(Left) Shailene Woodley arrives for the 84th Annual Academy Awards® from Hollywood, CA February 26, 2012. Credit/Provider: Heather Ikei / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Janis Joplin in the documentary 'Janis: Little Girl Blue'. Photo: FilmRise.

Preview:

Shailene Woodley will play singer Janis Joplin in a new movie.
She’s also producing the film.
The biopic is benefitting from a $2.5 million tax credit handed out by California.

Given her albeit tragically short-lived but storied contribution to the world of music, it’s shocking that no-one has been able to bring a movie about Janis Joplin to screens yet.

Still, that isn’t stopping Shailene Woodley, who has plans to star in and produce exactly that.

Few details have emerged about who else is involved –– we don’t, for example, know who the writer or director are yet –– but production company Temple Hill is backing the film, which has now received $2.5 million in funding from the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program.

Who was Janis Joplin?

Janis Joplin in the 1974 documentary 'Janis'. Photo: Universal Pictures.

Joplin was a musical icon of the 1960s, known as much for her searing blues songwriting and powerful voice as she was for her turbulent rock-and-roll lifestyle. The powerhouse behind ‘Mercedes Benz’ and a variety of respected covers, she died of an overdose in 1970, aged 27, shocking the music world.

Her life has been brought to screens in a couple of TV movies, but so far, big screen attempts have all faltered (see below).

Janis: Little Girl Blue

Not Yet Rated1 hr 46 minNov 27th, 2015

Watch Janis: Little Girl Blue Online

Who else has tried to make a Janis Joplin biopic?

‘Wayne’s World’ director Penelope Spheeris.

At this point, it might be easier and quicker to fill a list of who hasn’t tried to make a film about, or star as, Joplin.

‘Wayne’s World’ director Penelope Spheeris had first Pink attached in 2004 and then Zooey Deschanel in 2006, looking to get ‘The Gospel According To Janis’ into theaters ahead of an effort by Lakeshore Entertainment, which boasted of landing Renee Zellweger to star.

Sean Durkin, who most recently made ‘The Iron Claw’, took a stab at the idea back in 2012, with Tony winner Nina Arianda playing Janis, but nothing came of that one. Durkin popped back up again with an effort in 2016 that seemingly landed Michelle Williams to star, only for things to go very quiet once more.

You’ll forgive us, then, for not holding our breath until the movie is actually in theaters.

What did Shailene Woodley say about the new effort?

Shailene Woodley arrives at the 14th Governors Awards in the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / @ A.M.P.A.S Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Woodley seems excited that her version of the story now has a boost for its funding.

Here’s her statement:

“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 to her. Thank you to the California Film Commission’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program — myself and the other producers on this project believe California is the only place to film a slice of Janis’s life with authenticity and truth — and we are so grateful to have received the green light to do so!”

Actress Shailene Woodley attends the 2011 Governors Awards in the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood®, CA, Saturday, November 12. Credit/Provider: Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.