All Hail the Rise of the Female Rock Star Biopic

Rolling Stone Music

by Angie Martoccio

March 2, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The rise of female rock star biopics is set to take Hollywood by storm, with several high-profile projects in development that highlight the lives and legacies of iconic women in music. From Linda Ronstadt to Janis Joplin and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, these films aim to give female musicians the long-overdue recognition they deserve. With stars like Zendaya, Shailene Woodley, Selena Gomez, and Lizzo attached to lead roles, these biopics are generating significant buzz in the entertainment industry. One of the most anticipated projects is *Be My Baby*, a Ronnie Spector biopic directed by Barry Jenkins and starring Zendaya. The film, which draws inspiration from Spector’s memoir *Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness*, was personally approved by Spector before her passing in 2022. Zendaya has already expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to bring Spector’s story to life, promising to honor her legacy with authenticity. Another notable film is the Janis Joplin biopic starring Shailene Woodley, which has been in development for over seven years. Produced by Temple Hill Entertainment and backed by a California tax credit, the project aims to capture Joplin’s unique talent and impact on music. Woodley has praised Joplin as “a groovy chick who brought light to the planet,” and she revealed that she worked closely with music producer Linda Perry to find her own voice for the role. The lineup also includes *My Mama, Cass*, a film about Cass Elliot, co-produced by Veritas Entertainment and based on her daughter Owen Elliot-Kugell’s memoir. The project focuses on Elliot’s life, legacy,

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Originally published on Rolling Stone Music on 3/2/2026