![Janis_joplin_0](https://www.advocate.com/media-library/janis-joplin-0.jpg?id=32702708&width=1200&height=900)
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
While countless similar projects have failed to come to fruition, it seems that a film biography of Janis Joplin may finally get made with Tony Award-winner Nina Arianda as the late bisexual rocker, reports Deadline.
Sean Durkin, who helmed last year's critically-acclaimed psychological drama Martha Marcy May Marlene, will direct Arianda, a hot property following her win last month for Broadway's Venus in Fur as well as the 2011 revival of Born Yesterday, as the free-spirited musician. Deadline's Mike Fleming reveals the film will look at the final six months of Joplin's life with flashbacks offering a glimpse into her earlier days. The hard-living singer died of a heroin overdose in 1970.
Rival bios of the iconic performer have been touted numerous times during the past decade with performers such as P!nk, Renee Zellweger, and Amy Adams attached, but none have made it to production. The struggle to get a film made about the singer has even inspired a long-running comedic storyline in the NBC sitcom 30 Rock, with Jane Krakowski's character Jenna Maroney playing Joplin, but for legal reasons her name must be changed to Jackie Jormp-Jomp in the bio Sing Dem Blues, White Girl: The Jackie Jormp-Jomp Story.
Producer Peter Newman, however, is confident his film will be the one to finally get made, having secured exclusive rights to 21 of Joplin's best-known songs, as well as two written properties about her, including former Rolling Stone contributor David Dalton's authoritative biography Piece of My Heart.
Newman is also thrilled with the casting of Arianda. "I've never in my life seen an actress walk on a stage and convey the duality of vulnerability with overheated sexuality, which is what Janis was all about," he tells Deadline.
Watch Joplin perform "Little Girl Blue" below.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Two media insiders are forming a collective advocating for the community
July 19 2024 8:00 PM
Out Rep. Mark Pocan, other Dems join call for Biden to drop out
July 19 2024 7:36 PM
George Santos to gays at the RNC: 'Just come out of the closet boys'
July 19 2024 12:31 PM
Chino Valley school district sues California over new law banning forced outing
July 18 2024 6:52 PM
Federal appeals court upholds Tennessee drag ban
July 18 2024 5:41 PM
While the Lord Almighty speaks to Biden, it’s time to prepare for Harris
July 18 2024 3:22 PM
Yemi Alade, Billy Porter and Omawumi to headline Global Black Pride 2024 in Atlanta
July 18 2024 2:57 PM
Ruby Corado, founder of LGBTQ+ nonprofit Casa Ruby, pleads guilty to wire fraud
July 18 2024 10:23 AM
Watch: GLAAD national ad features terrifying potential future under Project 2025
July 18 2024 9:00 AM