Michelle Williams in talks to play Janis Joplin in probably already doomed biopic
Attempts to dramatize Janis Joplin’s life have been made, but they’ve all sputtered or halted in development. Though there were once competing projects, not even an Amy Adams-led effort has been able to get off the ground. Joplin’s raw essence or boozy grit might have just proven too difficult to capture, even for Zooey Deschanel, who’s no Jenna Maroney (sorry, we’re contractually obligated to reference Jackie Jormp-Jomp in these situations).
Despite these setbacks, director Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene) is still intent on making his biopic of the blues singer. To that end, he’s working on getting Michelle Williams to play Joplin in Janis. Williams would potentially replace Venus In Fur’s Nina Arianda, who was cast over four years ago in the part. But Arianda’s proposed participation has been lost to the sands of time, much like the Amy Adams-starring biopic has been thwarted by a lawsuit. Williams couldn’t be reached for a comment, which is probably for the best—if she never confirms she had a role, then she never has to answer subsequent questions about what a bummer it is that another Janis Joplin biopic has stalled. Then again, maybe this is the Joplin movie that will finally get made, putting Jackie Jormp-Jomp to (further) shame.