Shailene Woodley to play Janis Joplin in new biopic

A long-awaited biopic about the life of Janis Joplin has taken a step closer to reality, with Shailene Woodley set to star as the iconic rock performer.

The actress, who will also produce the film with Tower Hill Entertainment, has received $2.49 million in funding from the California Film Commission to make the movie, it was announced on Tuesday (September 10).

“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,” Woodley said in a statement (via The Hollywood Reporter).

“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!” the Big Little Lies star added.

Joplin died in 1970 at age 27 and many have since tried to develop a biopic about the legendary singer. Amy Adams, Zooey Deschanel, Pink and Melissa Etheridge, among others, have all previously been attached to play Joplin in movies that never got to production.

In January 2023, Margot Robbie also expressed an interest in portraying the rock star, telling NME: “I think everyone has been trying to do a Janis Joplin [movie] for a long time.”

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