The Etheridge version tried to sign Marc Rocco to direct after Fleder left.Įarly 2000’s Piece of My Heart was revitalised with a new script by Anne Meredith and now it's a star vehicle for then ascendant Renee Zellwegger. A rival production starring Lili Taylor is also announced which never eventuates. Though that version never happened, Murphy's audition tape made her a top candidate for a role in the film version of Chicago. The rumoured Courtney Love version now had Brittany Murphy as Janis Joplin, who described the part as a dream role, and campaigned hard to get it. This was also titled Piece of My Heart.ġ999 As the anniversary of her death loomed, the words “Dueling Joplin Biopics” appeared and have lived on for the (nearly) two decades since. Gary Fleder, best known for thrillers like Kiss the Girls, was set to direct a version. Mid-90’s A film titled Piece of My Heart, rumoured to star Courtney Love as Janis Joplin, was announced without a director attached.ġ998 Melissa Etheridge and her partner wrote a script, with Etheridge looking to star. The Rose remains the closest we've gotten to an onscreen Joplin biopic. Bette Midler won a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for the performance.

This was originally intended to be a biopic of Janis Joplin named Pearl, Joplin’s nickname, but the family refused the rights and weren't comfortable with how she was being portrayed. Let’s look back.ġ979 The Rose starring Bette Midler is released. And before them there were other failed attempts. This is not to be confused with the delayed version starring Amy Adams directed by Jean-Marc Vallee, halted by legal trouble which was tentatively called Get it While You Can.īut these two productions have actually been competing since the 1990’s. This will be based on Laura Joplin’s book 'Love, Janis' made up of real letters from Joplin. Her incredible life and talent has been promised on the big screen for decades and the latest announcement has Michelle Williams as Joplin under the direction of Sean Durkin ( Martha Marcy May Marlene).

She also sadly joined the 27 club by a drug overdose. But we're here to try! Janis was a 60’s superstar, with an iconic voice and an image that was reflective of the counter culture of the times. There have been so many rumoured, green lit and delayed productions of a Janis Joplin biopic, it’s nearly impossible to keep track.

Janis joplin movie