LATEST: ELF actress ZOOEY DESCHANEL has replaced singer PINK as JANIS JOPLIN in the biopic GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JANIS.
The STUPID GIRLS singer pulled out of the PENELOPE SPHEERIS film earlier this year (06) and, after much speculation, Deschanel was eventually selected to take over the role.
The script has gone through several revisions and now focuses on former Rolling Stone writer DAVID DALTON, who was once assigned to write a cover story comparing the troubled Joplin to JUDY GARLAND.
Dalton accompanied the singer on a long tour and his adventures have become the central plot for the film. Deschanel has spent the past four months working with a vocal coach to help her mimic Joplin's gritty vocals, and she will sing all of Joplin's songs featured in the film.
According to producer PETER NEWMAN, it has been a struggle to find an actress who could sing or a singer who could act. He says, "Zooey is the first we found who excels at both." Filming will begin on 13 November (06) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the film is scheduled for release in 2008.
Oscar winner RENEE ZELLWEGER is attached to another film about Joplin's life, but it is currently on hold at Paramount Pictures while the script is reworked.