Joan Jett Set To Produce Runaways Biopic
Variety is reporting that Joan Jett is set to executive produce a biopic about her former band The Runaways. The script for the film entitled Neon Angels will be based on a Memoir by Jett's former bandmate Cherie Currie.
Set to write and direct the feature is Floria Sigismondi, who directed The White Stripes' "Blue Orchid", as well as videos by Interpol, Marilyn Manson, David Bowie and Sigur Ros. Variety also reports Lords of Dogtown Producers Art and John Linson are helping finance the film independently so it may retain the source material's grittiness, as per the request of Jett and Currie.
Art Linson said the film will be financed independently, which he did recently on the Sean Penn-directed "Into the Wild" and the Robert De Niro starrer "What Just Happened?" That will allow "Neon Angels" to be R-rated and edgy, factors that were important to Jett and Currie.
Jett says she has good memories from her time in The Runaways despite its legendary debauchery and dealings with eccentric manager Kim Fowley.
"We became an excellent band and made it OK for girls to play rock 'n' roll.
Looking back, I loved that period of my life. Growing up, my fantasy was to play in a rock band, become famous and make a hit record."
No word yet whether or not surviving "classic line-up" Runaways Jackie Fox and Lita Ford will have any involvement in the making of the film. Drummer Sandy West died last year after a year-long battle with cancer. The rights to tell West's story in Neon Angels were secured by the Linsons.
Recommended Viewing:
The film's titular track, "Neon Angels On The Road To Ruin", performed live during the band's 1977 famous/infamous tour of Japan.
*If you haven't visited The Runaways' official website, head over for loads of archived photos, interview and radio show audio, and nerdy collector type stuff!
