Michelle Williams to play Janis Joplin in new biopic

Michelle Williams

by John Nugent |
Published on

Michelle Williams is currently earning rave reviews for Manchester By The Sea, which had a gala screening at this month’s London Film Festival. Now it looks like she may sign to a project likely to earn further rave reviews in a career not short of rave reviews: she’s in talks to play folk singer-songwriter Janis Joplin in a new biopic.

The film, simply titled Janis, is to be directed by Sean Durkin, best known for 2011’s acclaimed drama Martha Marcy May Marlene – which featured plenty of folk music from Joplin’s era on its soundtrack.

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. She died of an overdose in 1970, aged 27, shocking the music world. Aside from a couple of TV movies, this appears to be the first biopic of the singer. Zooey Deschanel was attached to a biopic at one point, and Amy Adams was due to play Joplin as recently as last year, but the project stalled due to legal wranglings.

Michelle Williams, meanwhile, will next be seen in Manchester By The Sea, and Certain Women, where she is also earning rave reviews. She has also earned rave reviews for her work in the play Blackbird. At this rate, she could earn rave reviews for making a really great cup of tea. She's that good.

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