Still smoking from the explosion of box office sales from ‘tweeners and twits, Kristen Stewart is set to star as Joan Jett in a new biopic about the woman of rock in ‘The Runaways’. The film was written by Floria Sigismondi, who will also direct. Joan Jett herself will serve as an executive producer, along side Bill Pohlad and John and Art Linson.

The Runaways were hugely influential as the first successful all-girl hard rock band; its members included guitarists Jett and Lita Ford, drummer Sandy West, singer-keyboardist Cherie Currie and bassist Jackie Fox. The band was brought together in late 1975 by impresario Kim Fowley, who thought a novelty act of teenaged girls performing in leather and lace would be an easy sell, but the girls ended up proving to be serious and influential musicians with songs like “Cherry Bomb.” 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. — Variety

The film, which is tentatively looking to begin production in 2009, will focus on Jett and Currie and follow the band’s stellar rise and eventual breakup. The film’s production is apparently going to work around Stewart’s schedule for the next ‘Twilight’ installment.

[source: HollywoodReporter.com]