Alert – Shailene Woodley to play Janis Joplin in biopic of the iconic singer who died at 27

Shailene Woodley has signed on to star in a biopic of Janis Joplin which will receive funding from California Tax Credit, she revealed on Tuesday. 

The Fault in Our Stars actress — who recently hinted at why she and NFL star Aaron Rodgers broke up — announced that she was joining the cast in a press released shared by the California Film Commission.

‘California meant so much to Janis Joplin – from the stoops of San Francisco to the wooden walls of Sunset Sound, the state became the stage upon which she explored not just the world of music, but the world of her vibrant humanity,’ the Divergent star said.

Joplin – known for powerful mezzo-soprano vocals and electric stage presence – tragically died from a reported heroin overdose, joining the infamous ’27 Club’ as she passed away at the age of 27. 

Shailene, 32, went on to explain her excitement to kick-off filming as a Golden State native herself and being a fan of the Piece of My Heart hitmaker.

‘Being a Los Angeles native myself, and having grown up working alongside industry locals, knowing our film will be created with some of the most gifted, passionate, and devotional people leaves me giddy,’ she said. 

Shailene Woodley has signed on to star in a biopic of Janis Joplin which will receive funding from California Tax Credit, she revealed on Tuesday; seen in September 2024

Touching on the rockstar she said: ‘I have a feeling Janis would be smiling ear to ear zipping down the PCH in her psychedelic Porsche knowing her story is bringing opportunities and funding to the city and people that held so much significance to her. 

‘Thank you to the California Film Commission’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program – myself and the other producers on this project believe California is the only place to film a slice of Janis’s life with authenticity and truth – and we are so grateful to have received the green light to do so!’ she finished. 

Aside acting in the biopic Woodley is also set to take the reigns on the program as a producer. She has not yet confirmed what role what was cast as.

The project will be shot in thirty days and spend about $10 million in ‘qualified expenditures,’ per Variety.

The California Film Commission awarded a total of $284.4 million to nineteen different projects to provide employment to over 3,800 cast and crew members.

According to the press release, the Film and Television Tax Credit Program broke down the funds depending on the projected budget of each film. 

$39.6 million was granted to three big-budget feature films and fifteen independent films.

And they shared that ‘$12 million was awarded to a new television series through the Soundstage Filming Tax Credit Program.’

Some of the films being allocated funds include, Disney’s film Lullaby, Peacock’s film Community — The Movie, and an untitled project by Screen Gems. 

The Janis Joplin biopic will receive $2.5 million from the commission. 

The Fault in Our Stars actress announced that she was joining the cast in a press released shared by the California Film Commission; seen in August 2024

Aside acting in the biopic Woodley is also set to take the reigns on the program as a producer. She has not yet confirmed what role what was cast as

‘California meant so much to Janis Joplin – from the stoops of San Francisco to the wooden walls of Sunset Sound, the state became the stage upon which she explored not just the world of music, but the world of her vibrant humanity,’ the Divergent star said; Janis seen 1968

Touching on the rockstar Shailene said: ‘I have a feeling Janis would be smiling ear to ear zipping down the PCH in her psychedelic Porsche knowing her story is bringing opportunities and funding to the city and people that held so much significance to her’; Janis seen in 1969

The Janis Joplin biopic will receive $2.5 million from the commission; Janis seen in 1969

Earlier on Tuesday, Woodley opened up to Bustle about her ‘broken heart’ in a cryptic interview. 

The actress is also slated to star alongside Betty Gilpin, DeWanda Wise and Gabrielle Creevy in the new limited series titled Three Women.

She also recently told fans that she’d be focusing on herself and her career.