Actress Behind Janis Joplin Biopic Opens Up About the “Terrifying” Challenge of Becoming the Rock Icon
via Hollywood News Hubb / YouTube
Taking on a Rock Legend
Actress Shailene Woodley, 33, is preparing to take on the role of Janis Joplin in the upcoming biopic Janis Joplin: Get It While You Can. Speaking on October 5, she admitted that stepping into the singer’s shoes is far from easy.
“Singing is very scary,” Woodley told People in a recent interview. “It’s very vulnerable.”
Though most fans know her for dramatic roles in Divergent, The Fault in Our Stars, Big Little Lies, and The Descendants, Woodley is not entirely new to music. In November 2024, she made her Broadway debut in Cult of Love at the Helen Hayes Theater, performing alongside Barbie Ferreira and Zachary Quinto. Earlier glimpses of her voice can even be found in a 2014 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, where she sang “A Whole New World.”
View this post on Instagram
Finding Her Voice
To prepare for the part, Woodley is working with music producer Linda Perry. “[I get to] work alongside Linda Perry, who’s our music producer on the set and is a legend. She’s really pushed me to figure out to find my own voice,” she explained during a 2024 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
She recalled Perry’s unconventional methods. “I was like, ‘I can’t sing like Janis!’ and she put me in a lot of uncomfortable situations where she’s like, ‘All right, show up here’ [to] a massive empty warehouse with a full band. She’s like, ‘Have fun! Sing some songs!’”
Though her casting was only announced in late 2024, Woodley revealed that she had been preparing for years. “I’ve been working on it for seven years,” she said, adding that she was “really excited” to bring Joplin’s story to the screen.
Embracing Janis Joplin’s Spirit
Woodley has spoken with admiration about the singer’s influence. “She’s such a groovy chick, man,” she said. “She really brought the light to this planet, in a really singular way and it’s been so much fun to dive into her story.”
The actress also highlighted how the production will celebrate Joplin’s style and spirit, noting the costumes and filming locations will play a key role in honoring the late artist. Joplin, who died at age 27 in 1970, left behind iconic performances including “Me and Bobby McGee,” her rendition of “Piece of My Heart,” “Summertime,” and “Mercedes Benz.”
Reflecting on what Joplin might think of the project, Woodley said in a statement shared by ABC News: “I have a feeling Janis would be smiling ear to ear, zipping down the PCH in her psychedelic Porsche knowing her story is bringing opportunities and funding to the city and people that held so much significance to her.”
For now, fans will have to wait, as Janis Joplin: Get It While You Can has no official release date.
