Nina Arianda - Nina Arianda To Play Janis Joplin In Forthcoming Biopic

Production for the movie will start next year, according to the producer Paul Newman. He, along with his partners, have been trying to get the movie off the ground for the last 12 years. He has been fighting to create an independent movie that will feature exclusive use of 21 of Janis Joplin's songs. He told Deadline that he was confident Nina had the "chops" to tackle Janis' songs and recreate her distinctive gravel-voiced sound. A number of actresses have previously been earmarked for the role, including the singer Pink and the actress Zooey Deschanel. There has also been talk of rival Joplin films, threatening to upset the applecart, with the likes of Amy Adams and Renee Zellwegger attached to them.

Speaking about his decision to cast Arianda in the role, he referred back to her performance in 'Venus In Fur,' saying "I've never in my life seen an actress walk on a stage and convey the duality of vulnerability with overheated sexuality, which is what Janis was all about." Janis Joplin rose to fame in the 1960s, as a member of the Big Brother Holding Company and then as a solo artist. In 1970, she died, at the age of 27.