
Kristen Stewart is set to portray Joan Jett in The Runaways, the rock 'n' roll biopic of the 1970s all-girl band.
Video director Floria Sigismondi wrote the screenplay and is directing, while John and Art Linson and River Road Entertainment's Bill Pohlad are producing. Jett will act as an executive producer.
The Runaways were hugely influential as the first successful all-girl hard rock band. The band was brought together in late 1975 by impresario Kim Fowley, the band lasted about four years together, falling apart over management and money issues.
Jett continued her rock career into the '80s, forming the Blackhearts and scoring with such hits as "I Love Rock N' Roll" and "I Hate Myself for Loving You." She continues to record and tour.
The film will revolve around Jett and Currie and follow them from the band's meteoric rise as teenagers to their dissolution and disillusionment.
Stewart is eyeing a 2009 start date as she is already committed to start filming the Twilight sequel New Moon as early as this Fall or coming Spring