Nina Arianda To Play Janis Joplin In Upcoming Biopic

Nina Arianda (Venus in Fur, Midnight in Paris, Tower Heist) has signed on to play Janis Joplin in the upcoming biopic, Joplin.

The film, from director Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene), centers on the final six months of the life of the raspy-voiced singer who died in 1970 of a drug overdose.

Producer Peter Newman told Deadline that the independently-produced movie would have a production budget under $20 million and would be in production early next year.

Newman also praised Arianda, who he says has the "chops" to tackle Janis' songs and recreate her distinctive gravel-voiced sound:

"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."

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