Meryl Streep to play Joni Mitchell in Cameron Crowe-directed biopic
The 'Both Sides Now' singer will be portrayed by the three-time Oscar-winning star
Last updated 11th Feb 2026
Meryl Streep has been confirmed to portray legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell in her present day; with Anya Taylor-Joy set to play the artist in her 60s and 70s prime.
Cameron Crowe's film will follow Joni's rise from the folk clubs to global icon status, charting the stories behind iconic albums like 'Blue' and 'Clouds' and timeless tracks including 'Both Sides Now' and 'A Case of You'.
What is the Joni Mitchell biopic about?
According to the Express Tribune report, hosted on JoniMitchell.com, Anya is in talks to take on the role of Joni during the period when she released groundbreaking albums such as 'Blue' and 'Clouds'.
The film will also highlight the era in which she wrote timeless songs including 'Both Sides Now' and 'A Case of You', cementing her status as one of modern music’s defining voices. Three-time Academy Award winner Meryl will appear as present-day Joni, offering a 'layered perspective on the artist’s journey and cultural impact'.
What is Cameron Crowe’s vision for the film?
Cameron, known for Almost Famous and Jerry Maguire, is described as having a long-standing passion for music-driven storytelling. His approach to the Joni Mitchell biopic is expected to emphasise her artistry, personal struggles and influence on generations of musicians, while using a non-traditional structure to trace her story.
Joni, often hailed as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, overcame industry challenges and significant health battles, and the film aims to honour a body of work that continues to resonate globally.
When is the Joni Mitchell biopic releasing?
According to reports, the biopic is currently in pre-production, with a release date to be confirmed.
When was the biopic announced?
The film was announced in August 2025, however, Cameron has been developing the biopic for the past half-decade, per an October 2025 interview on The Late Show.
“We’ve been working on it for about four years. We have regular meetings where I can ask her anything and she speaks with her heart about all kinds of stuff. It’s a movie that will be not from a distance… This is from her perspective, her life, looking out,” Cameron said.
“She’s kept all of her costumes, all of her clothes, all of her instruments. She’s even still the landlady of her famous house in Laurel Canyon. So this is a really personal, wonderful look at her life and music".
Joni recently won the GRAMMY for Best Historical Album at the 2026 GRAMMY Awards for her box set, 'Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976–1980)'.
The singer accepted the award in person and delivered a moving speech, which you can watch below:
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