I dated a guy who loved Joan Jett (photo.) So, when I read Twilight star Kristen Stewart will play her in The Runaways, the rock ‘n’ roll biopic of the 1970s all-girl band, I didn’t realize Jett was that popular to have a biopic.

As I continued to read in the Hollywood reporter article, I found out that 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 teenage 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.

However, Jett sustained her rock career into the ’80s, forming the Blackhearts and producing hits like “I Love Rock N’ Roll” and “I Hate Myself for Loving You.” Today she even continues to record and tour.

The film storyline revolves around Jett and Currie as we follow them from the band’s meteoric rise as teenagers to their dissolution and disillusionment.

The production is hoping for a 2009 start date with the contingency around Stewart’s commitments to the two Twilight sequels.