Shailene Woodley to Star in Janis Joplin Biopic

The elusive Janis Joplin biopic is closer to reality, as Shailene Woodley has received a commitment for a $2.49 million tax credit from the California Film Commission for the film, it was announced Tuesday.

“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,” Woodley, who will star in and produce the film, said in a statement.

“Thank you to the California Film Commission’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program — myself and the other producers on this project believe California is the only place to film a slice of Janis’s life with authenticity and truth — and we are so grateful to have received the green light to do so!” the Big Little Lies star added.

The Joplin biopic from Temple Hill qualified for just under $10 million in production expenditures for a 30-day shoot in California, according to the state’s film commission.

Joplin died in 1970 at age 27 and a biopic of the legendary singer has yet to be produced, but not for a lack of trying. Amy Adams, Zooey Deschanel, Pink and Melissa Etheridge, among others, were earlier on board to play Joplin in movies that never got to production.

In all, the California Film Commission awarded $51.6 million in tax credits to 19 projects to shoot in the state. That also includes keeping the Universal Content Productions’ Suits LA series from leaving Los Angeles for a rival locale.

“Suits LA is a show whose characters are deeply ensconced in the world of film and television. Being able to shoot here will be a huge part of the show’s authenticity,” Suits LA showrunner Aaron Korsh said in a statement.

Other projects qualifying for local tax credits include the reboot Community – The Movie, executive produced by Dan Harmon and Andrew Guest, and reuniting the original cast for this film adaptation and an untitled Screen Gems project.