The gospel according to Zooey

Zooey Deschanel will play Janis Joplin in a forthcoming biopic.

Sep 19 2006

'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' star Zooey Deschanel will play Janis Joplin in a forthcoming biopic of the hellraising rock 'n' roller entitled 'The Gospel According to Janis'.

Deschanel, who fronts a big band in LA and previously flexed her singing muscles in 'Elf', has been working with a vocal coach for months in order to perfect the Joplin rasp.

'The dilemma over the years was finding an actress who could sing or a singer who could act,' producer Peter Newman told Variety. 'Zooey is the first person we found who excels at both.'

The story will revolve around Rolling Stone journalist David Dalton's experiences with Joplin on the road. Dalton has co-written the script with Penelope Spheeris, who will also direct the film.

'The Gospel According to Janis' will start shooting in Philadelphia in November and is scheduled for release in 2008.

• 
•