Michelle Williams pegged to play Janis Joplin in biopic

Image from We Got This Covered

By Darian Scalamoni

            There have been rumors of a Janis Joplin biopic for several years now. It was originally in development with Amy Adams attached to star and Jean-Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyers Club, Wild) to direct. Now, according to Variety, Michelle Williams is in talks to star in the biopic simply titled, Janis.

            Michelle Williams is an incredibly talented actress who is very capable of playing the rock-and-roll legend that rose to fame in the 1960s. Joplin, unfortunately passed away at the age of 27 in 1970 due to a drug overdose. The depiction of her life will cover the last six months before she passed and is set to now be directed by Sean Durkin who previously helmed Martha Marcy May Marlene.

            Williams is expected to be in the Oscar race yet again this year for her performance in Manchester by the Sea that also is garnering praise for categories like Lead Actor for Casey Affleck, Best Director for Kenneth Lonergan and Best Picture. She also stars in Kelly Reichardt’s Certain Women alongside Laura Dern and Kristen Stewart which opens next Friday. The actress was previously nominated for 3 Academy Awards for her roles in Brokeback Mountain, Blue Valentine and My Week with Marilyn.

            The highly touted actress is already scheduled to appear in two high profile movies in 2017. One of them being Wonderstruck, which is the next film from Oscar nominee, Todd Haynes who last directed last year’s, Carol. She is also currently in rehearsals for another musical biopic, The Greatest Showman on Earth in which she’ll star alongside Hugh Jackman.