The 'Precious' helmer is nearing a deal to helm 'Get It While You Can' which follows the story of the late rock 'n' roll queen.
- Oct 17, 2012
AceShowbiz - After wrapping the filming of all-star true story drama "The Butler", director Lee Daniels might helm another biopic as his next project. The man behind Oscar-winning "Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire" is now in talks to direct a new Janis Joplin biopic called "Get It While You Can".
Via The Hollywood Reporter, the Philadelphia native is expected to shepherd the long-gestating project which now has Amy Adams being tapped to play the legendary rock 'n' roll queen. He will work with Ron Terry and wife Theresa Kounin-Terry who serve as the screenwriters.
Daniels is not the first filmmaker attached to the Joplin biopic. The project, which has been in development for years, had previously tapped Fernando Meirelles and Catherine Hardwicke as the directors. Before Adams, it was Renee Zellweger who was sealed to tackle the female lead.
The project is financed independently. Previously, there had been some negotiations with Focus Features to back the film, but the deal had never been closed. Should Daniel finally land the directing gig, he is expected to kick off the production in early 2013.
"Get It While You Can" revolves around Joplin, who was a prominent rock musician in the 1960s. She once performed at Woodstock and scored such hits as "Piece of My Heart" and "Me and Bobby McGee" before died of a heroin overdose in 1970 when she was still 27.
As for Lee Daniels, he recently generated rave reviews from his latest film "The Paperboy", which starred Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron and Matthew McConaughey. His upcoming movie, "The Butler", will open wide in the U.S. sometime in 2013.
