It may seem like Michelle Williams has had a quiet year but that's not going to last. Her performance in Kenneth Lonergan's excellent Manchester by the Sea is earning some awards buzz, and she'll be seen soon in Kelly Reichardt's ensemble, Certain Women. Now Variety is reporting she may star as Janis Joplin in Sean Durkin's long-developing biopic, Janis.
Durkin has been developing this film on the rock & roll icon since 2012 when Nina Arianda was on board to star. Multiple projects centered on Joplin are in the works right now, but Durkin's will be based on the book, "Love, Janis", penned by Janis's sister Laura, and will focus on the last six months of the singer's life. She died of a drug overdose in 1970, which was followed by the posthumous release of her biggest album, titled "Pearl", in 1971.
Williams is in negotiations for the role now and assuming she signs this instantly has the makings of another possible Best Actress nomination. And with producer Peter Newman holding the rights to a large portion of Joplin's catalog we shouldn't have to worry about this project getting derailed by legal action.
