Actress Michelle Williams is reportedly in early negotiations to play the 1960s rock icon Janis Joplin in the upcoming biopic, Janis.
The film, to be directed by Martha Marcy May Marlene’s Sean Durkin, will be produced by Peter Newman with Durkin’s partners at Borderline Films, as well as with Uncommon Productions, Interal and Seven Hills Productions.
Janis is based on a book (titled Love, Janis) penned by the late singer’s sister, Laura Joplin. It includes letters from Joplin herself, and tells the story of her rise to fame with her blues-inspired vocals – all while combating her alcohol and heroin addiction.
After releasing only three albums, Joplin passed away at the age of 27 in 1970 from an accidental heroin overdose.
Her fourth and final album, released just months after her death, featured one of her last hits, “Me and Bobby McGee.”
