A biopic of famed rock icon Janis Joplin is moving forward, and Martha Marcy May Marlene director Sean Durkin has been tapped to helm.  Deadline reports that Durkin will direct Joplin, a feature that looks back on the final six months of the 1960s singer’s life.  The film will include cradle-to-grave elements, as we’ll see bits of Joplin’s early career through flashbacks.  Tony-winner Nina Arianda has been tapped to tackle the lead in the $20 million pic, which is schedule to start production early next year.

Arianda recently won the Best Actress Tony for her work in the play Venus In Fur, and has drawn considerable attention for her talent on the stage.  Producer Peter Newman and his partners have been trying to get Joplin going for over a decade. Durkin is certainly an intriguing choice to take the helm, and his involvement makes this project one to keep an eye on.  His drama Martha Marcy May Marlene took Sundance by storm last year, and he recently signed on to spearhead a TV series adaptation of The Exorcist.  I’m sure we’ll hear more casting news concerning Joplin soon.