Though it might have seemed like the Amy Adams-starring Janis Joplin biopic, Get It While You Can, was permanently stalled out after years of back and forth, THR now reports that its gotten fresh life thanks to the addition of a new director. The outlet reports that recently-revitalized Precious helmer Lee Daniels is currently in talks to direct the tragic rock n’ roll film, with Adams still set to star in the project (whole years after her first attachment). The script has been penned by producer Ron Terry and his wife Theresa Kounin-Terry.
Adams has been attached to star in the film since back in July of 2010, when Fernando Meirelles was set to direct the project. At one point, Catherine Hardwicke was also once rumored for the directing gig. The film will be independently financed, but THR also reports rumors that “there have been preliminary talks with Focus Features about coming on board, though no deal has been made.” With such a named cast and crew, Get It probably won’t stay indie for too long.
Get It While You Can is, however, not the only Joplin film in the works. A Joplin biopic has long been a passion project for producer Peter Newman, and after cycling through its own differing incarnations, Newman’s film recently started to come together this summer, with the addition of Martha Marcy May Marlene director Sean Durkin and star Nina Arianda. Much like those “dueling” Jeff Buckley biopics, it will be interesting to see which of these two films hits screens first, and which garners the most praise.
Daniels’ latest film, the Nicole-Kidman-pees-on-Zac-Efron extravaganza known as The Paperboy, recently opened in limited release, and Daniels has also just completed work on The Butler.
Get It While You Can is looking to start filming early next year.