Runaways Movie Set to Debut at Sundance

'The Runaways,' the new movie that chronicles the '70s heyday of the notorious all-female rock band, will premiere next month at the Sundance Film Festival. Starring 'Twilight' actress Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning in the respective roles of Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, the film will see a full US release on March 19, 2010.

Directed by Floria Sigismondi, a veteran of music videos by the White Stripes, David Bowie and Christina Aguilera, the project counts Jett herself as one of the its executive producers. A news release says the film, "follows two friends, Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, as they rise from rebellious Southern California kids to rock stars of the now legendary group that paved the way for future generations of girl bands ... With its tough-chick image and raw talent, the band quickly earns a name for itself-and so do its two leads: Joan is the band's pure rock' n' roll heart, while Cherie, with her Bowie-Bardot looks, is the sex kitten."

"Floria has crafted a beautiful story of Joan and Cherie's tumultuous relationship on and off stage, as well as a kick ass rock 'n' roll journey," Bob Berney, the head of the new distribution company Apparation, said.

Producers promise that 'The Runaways' was filmed with the same independent attitude that defined the group, which was notorious for the single 'Cherry Bomb,' among others. According to Bill Pohlad, of the production company River Road Entertainment and Berney's partner in Apparation, "Kristen and Dakota really became the characters, right down to singing the vocals."