"Twilight" star Kristen Stewart to play rocker Joan Jett

Los Angeles, Dec 03: Fresh from the box-office success of "Twilight," Kristen Stewart is set to portray Joan Jett in "The Runaways," the rock `n` roll biopic of the 1970s all-girl band.The Runaways were hugely influential as the first commercially successful all-girl hard rock band; their 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 teenage girls performing in leather and lace would be an easy sell. But the girls proved to be serious and influential musicians with songs like "Cherry Bomb." The band lasted about four years, 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. Video director Floria Sigismondi wrote the screenplay and is directing. Jett will serve as an executive producer. The filmmakers are eyeing a 2009 start and will work around Stewart`s commitments to the two "Twilight" sequels. The first, "New Moon," is expected to shoot in first-quarter 2009, with Stewart reprising her role as Bella, the human who falls for a vampire. "Twilight" has made more than USD120 million since opening November 21. Bureau Report