Tony Winner Nina Arianda to Play Janis Joplin in New Bio Film

Tony winner Nina Arianda will play late rock icon Janis Joplin in the upcoming film Joplin, according to Deadline.com. Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene) is set to direct the movie, which will feature Arianda singing many of Joplin's classic songs. 

Produced by Peter Newman, the movie has been in development for over 12 years with actresses like Zooey Deschanel and P!nk previously attached to play Joplin. The film takes place during the last six months of Joplin's life and will feature flashbacks of her earlier years.

Born in Port Arthur, TX in 1943, Joplin rose to prominence in the late '60s as the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company. Her many hit songs include "Piece of My Heart," "Me and Bobby McGee," "Mercedes Benz," "Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)" and "To Love Somebody." Joplin died of a heroin overdose in 1970.

Arianda received a Tony earlier this year for Venus in Fur. She has also appeared on Broadway in Born Yesterday. Her film credits include Midnight in Paris, Tower Heist and Higher Ground.