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Zooey Deschanel Is Janis Joplin
In Penelope Spheeris' movie

19 September 2006  |  Written by   |  Source: Variety

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The race of the Janis Joplin pics just got more interesting. Now out in front is Penelope “Wayne’s World” Spheeris, who has been trying for a while to put together her version of the singer’s story, The Gospel According To Janis, while competing with Lakeshore Entertainment - itself busily cooking up a Renee Zellweger-starring rival.

The most recent report had singer Pink playing the lead role, but but now Spheeris has officially found her Janis in Zooey Deschanel, who last put her pipes to good use singing in the shower for Elf. She’s spent four months working with a vocal coach to prepare to sing with Joplin’s gritty style. “The dilemma over the years was finding an actress who could sing or a singer who could act,” producer Peter Newman explained to Variety. "Zooey is the first person we found who excels at both.”

And the script has been through several drafts, with the latest penned by Spheeris and David Dalton, a former Rolling Stone journo who accompanied Joplin on a long tour. His story will form the structure of the film, and the producers are now searching for an actor to play him.

Spheeris cranks her cameras this November in Philadelphia, but don’t write off the Lakeshore/Zellweger version just yet – despite having been booted into turnaround by Paramount, the film is being touted to other studios and the script is being rewritten again. It ain’t over until the depressed lady sings, folks.

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Your Comments

RE: ...At least it's not Jude Law either
L: Cuchulainn L: matt_cub Zooey's argueably too good looking to play Janis. men are arguably too good looking to play Janis...  sp; Got to agree Joplin was a good few steps away from a looker.  The junkie look didn't help either. More

Posted by sanchia at 19:05 on 19 September 2006 | Report This Post

RE: ...At least it's not Jude Law either
L: matt_cub Zooey's argueably too good looking to play Janis. men are arguably too good looking to play Janis...  More

Posted by Cuchulainn at 18:31 on 19 September 2006 | Report This Post

Good news
It's always great news when you hear that Zooey's gonna be in anything. More

Posted by c_poynton at 17:24 on 19 September 2006 | Report This Post

what about Juliette Lewis!!
Zooey's better i suppose...but what a role to play, i will be there with arms crossed saying 'go on then'...i hope she pulls it off Still think Juliette is the way to go.. More

Posted by nancy102 at 16:41 on 19 September 2006 | Report This Post

what about Juliette Lewis!!
Zooey's better i suppose...but what a role to play, i will be there with arms crossed saying 'go on then'...i hope she pulls it off Still think Juliette is the way to go.. More

Posted by nancy102 at 16:40 on 19 September 2006 | Report This Post

what about Juliette Lewis!!
Zooey's better i suppose...but what a role to play, i will be there with arms crossed saying 'go on then'...i hope she pulls it off Still think Juliette is the way to go.. More

Posted by nancy102 at 16:40 on 19 September 2006 | Report This Post

...At least it's not Jude Law either
Zooey's argueably too good looking to play Janis. More

Posted by matt_cub at 15:19 on 19 September 2006 | Report This Post

At least it's not..
..Nicole Kidman!! More

Posted by paulieaton at 11:31 on 19 September 2006 | Report This Post


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