America's greatest actress hits the New York stage
again in 'Mother Courage and Her Children'
BY JOE DZIEMIANOWICZ
Depth becomes her: at age 57, this summer Streep is gracing as many screens and stages as any "it girl."
Streep performing in 'The Seagull' in Central Park (r., with Kline) in 2001; this summer she'll be returning to that stage in the title role in 'Mother Courage.'
It's long been said that Meryl Streep can do anything. But this summer, she's decided to do everything.
Who'd have guessed that in the summer of 2006, the hottest, hardest-working It Girl would be a 57-year-old mother of four?
The woman often called America's greatest actress has already strutted her stuff on film in "A Prairie Home Companion," playing a dim-but-sweet balladeer, and "The Devil Wears Prada," as a chilly-but-chic fashionista boss from Hell (and getting rave reviews for it). The two-time Oscar winner even bugged out in the animated "The Ant Bully," in which she lends her vocal talents to play the queen of an insect colony (what, you think Meryl would be a mere drone?) that teaches a small boy a lesson.
And on Tuesday, Streep will star in the eagerly anticipated Public Theater presentation of Bertolt Brecht's war-themed drama "Mother Courage and Her Children," this year's second offering from Shakespeare in the Park. Tickets are free, and first-come, first-served.
Busy, busy, busy - can we get you another Red Bull, Meryl?
Whatever's fueling the nonstop Streep, she's remarkable in showbiz, where the raging lust for lineless faces and bikini bods has many other actresses grousing that, as ever, there are "no good roles for women." Maybe that's because you-know-who gets them first - and then reaps high praise as she continues to surprise audiences even after almost 30 years of being in the spotlight.
"When she appeared at first, she seemed so talented, it was almost too good to be true," says film historian David Thomson. "And now, she seems also to have acquired a sense of humor. Unlike the comedies she did in the '90s, the new comedies tailor themselves to her. 'The Devil Wears Prada' could have been a minor film, but she gives it a great lift and kick and makes it so very entertaining.
"And her private life, since the beginning, has been very much of her generation," adds Thomson of Streep's decades-long marriage to sculptor Don Gummer. "She has always carried herself in a cool way that seems to say, 'I've worked out what I'm going to do with my life. I have a private life I won't flash in front of you. I won't try and be ingratiating and say I want you all to love me.' It's a very grownup attitude."
"Streep is in a class by herself," agrees critic and author Leonard Maltin. "Even today, quality still sells. She's not just good - I think of her as something akin to a national treasure. And apparently, so do a lot of directors."
Streep has had time to get used to appreciative audiences and critical bouquets. Since the New Jersey-bred, Yale Drama School-trained actress broke into movies in a tiny role in 1977's "Julia" - followed by the seminal TV miniseries "Holocaust" a year later - she's been up for a record 13 Oscars. Her first nomination was for 1978's "The Deer Hunter." She won best Supporting Actress for "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979) and Best Actress for "Sophie's Choice" (1982). Among her other nominated turns are "Silkwood" (1983), "Out of Africa" (1985), "Postcards From the Edge" (1991), "The Bridges of Madison County" (1996) and "Adaptation" (2003).
Her three disparate movies this summer bring her official tally to nearly 50 films in every genre, from action (2004's "The Manchurian Candidate") to comedy (last year's "Prime") to dramatic ensembles (2002's "The Hours"). Kids' films like "Ant Bully" and 2004's "Lemony Snicket's a Series of Unfortunate Events" could broaden Streep's fan base to the grade-school crowd.
"Even younger moviegoers seem to recognize that she's not just an 'older actress,' but someone of great talent and limitless versatility," says Maltin. "There's nothing she can't do or won't try, from high drama to farce. She's got a sense of humor and a great singing voice to boot."
Streep will show off her acting chops and her singing voice when she begins performances in the title role of "Mother Courage and Her Children," Brecht's 1939 drama with music, set during the Thirty Years War of 1618-48. Streep plays a woman who runs an army canteen and is determined to make money from a war that ends up taking a catastrophic toll on her family.
Streep's involvement in the Public Theater production has made it the must-see show of the summer. Her costar is Kevin Kline, who previously paired with her in "Sophie's Choice," as well as "Prairie Home Companion" (and the 2001 star-studded Shakespeare in the Park production of "The Seagull"). The show's music is by Jeanine Tesori ("Thoroughly Modern Millie," "Caroline, or Change"), with lyrics, and a new story translation, by Tony Kushner. It runs until Sept. 3.
Oskar Eustis, artistic director of the Public Theater, notes that his conversations with Streep and Kushner about doing "Mother Courage" date back some 20 years. (In 2004, Streep won her first Emmy award since "Holocaust" for her multiple characters in the HBO adaptation of Kushner's "Angels in America.") One of the first things Eustis did in his current position was approach the actress about the role.
"The first thing she said was, 'You have to let me make the character funny,' " Eustis recalls, "which is one reason why she's great. She obviously has all the complexity and depth to play a tragic heroine, but she's so alive, and so artful on stage that it turns preconceived notions on their head. You see her thinking through what she can do to burst a character into life."
"I think Streep is now in a quite unique position," says Thomson. "I think the only person who ever rivaled it, really, is the late Katharine Hepburn toward the long middle of her career.
"The public can't get enough of Streep. She's just soaring."
Full Version: Meryl Streep
I am thrilled that she is getting acolades for being a wonderful actress with a normal life and somehow managed to raise four children. See, not all actresses are moronic, sex crazed bimbos...well at least one isn't. She gives the whole profession a lot of dignity.
I love Meryl! She is one of my favorite actresses. She is so classy!
And I'm going to see her in "Mother Courage" real soon! Yeah!
Meryl is a goddess, of course, but I prefer her in comedy. Loved her in Prada, loved her in Prairie Home Companion. Loved her even in crap like the one with Roseanne (name escapes me) and Death Becomes Her. And she can sing, even if she doesn't do it much. She was great in Postcards from the Edge and again in Prairie. Oh, and she could single-handedly convince many women to let their hair go white based solely on her fierce Miranda in Prada.
QUOTE (bittermuch? @ Aug 6 2006, 09:47 PM) 
Loved her even in crap like the one with Roseanne (name escapes me) and
She-devil!
IT'S A 'MOTHER' OF A LONG NIGHT
"MOTHER Courage and Her Children," the new Shakespeare in the Park show with Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline, has opened at the Delacorte in Central Park, and theatergoers may need courage to sit through it. Tuesday night's first preview of the weighty 1941 Bertolt Brecht play clocked in at a mind-numbing 3 1/2 hours, and nearly 100 people had left the 1,892-seat house by the end, one audience member told us. "Meryl is brilliant, but the play itself is boring, tortuous - it needs judicious cutting," our spy said. "A number of people left after 20 minutes. Many didn't return after intermission and then, three hours in, during a long song by Kevin Kline, they were pouring out. Many were older, so they might want to retitle it 'Flight of the Elderly.' " Public Theater flack Arlene Kriv at first insisted to Page Six that not a single person had walked out of the play, which has a new translation by Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner and is directed by George Wolfe. She later conceded there may have been a few defections, but said the play will not be cut: "The show is what it is - a long show."
"MOTHER Courage and Her Children," the new Shakespeare in the Park show with Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline, has opened at the Delacorte in Central Park, and theatergoers may need courage to sit through it. Tuesday night's first preview of the weighty 1941 Bertolt Brecht play clocked in at a mind-numbing 3 1/2 hours, and nearly 100 people had left the 1,892-seat house by the end, one audience member told us. "Meryl is brilliant, but the play itself is boring, tortuous - it needs judicious cutting," our spy said. "A number of people left after 20 minutes. Many didn't return after intermission and then, three hours in, during a long song by Kevin Kline, they were pouring out. Many were older, so they might want to retitle it 'Flight of the Elderly.' " Public Theater flack Arlene Kriv at first insisted to Page Six that not a single person had walked out of the play, which has a new translation by Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner and is directed by George Wolfe. She later conceded there may have been a few defections, but said the play will not be cut: "The show is what it is - a long show."
Theatergoers Snub Streep and Kline
Fans who got a sneak preview of Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline's new play were left so unimpressed by the performance, some walked out after just 20 minutes. The Hollywood stars appeared in Bertolt Brecht play Mother Courage And Her Children earlier this week at New York City's Delacorte Theater. But despite many audience-members lining for hours to see the show, some became bored by the production's heavy content. The New York Post reports around 100 members of the 1,892-strong audience left early, with one theatergoer quoted as saying, "Meryl is brilliant, but the play itself is boring, tortuous - it needs judicious cutting. A number of people left after 20 minutes. Many didn't return after intermission and then, three hours in, during a long song by Kevin Kline, they were pouring out." The show's publicist Arlee Kriv insists no cuts will be made to the play: "The show is what it is - a long show." Kline took over the role of The Cook from Christopher Walken, who dropped out last month.
Fans who got a sneak preview of Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline's new play were left so unimpressed by the performance, some walked out after just 20 minutes. The Hollywood stars appeared in Bertolt Brecht play Mother Courage And Her Children earlier this week at New York City's Delacorte Theater. But despite many audience-members lining for hours to see the show, some became bored by the production's heavy content. The New York Post reports around 100 members of the 1,892-strong audience left early, with one theatergoer quoted as saying, "Meryl is brilliant, but the play itself is boring, tortuous - it needs judicious cutting. A number of people left after 20 minutes. Many didn't return after intermission and then, three hours in, during a long song by Kevin Kline, they were pouring out." The show's publicist Arlee Kriv insists no cuts will be made to the play: "The show is what it is - a long show." Kline took over the role of The Cook from Christopher Walken, who dropped out last month.
Meryl Streep, Sharon Stone, Drew Barrymore, Ed Norton, Rachel Weisz, Jonathan Demme, Anne Hathaway, Paul Dano, Stanley Tucci, Oliver Stone and others all will head to France Sept. 1 for the Deauville American Film Festival. Organizer Ruda Dauphin told us: "Almost all other festivals around the world are international and they wave many flags. Deauville is ONLY American. We wave one flag, our flag, and at this point, it needs a lot of waving."
Meryl Streep - The Devil Wears Prada Premiere Venice Film Festival (09/07/06)
LOVE her.
she's classy, brassy, smart, talented, and private! and the latter speaks volumes in Hollywood.
she's classy, brassy, smart, talented, and private! and the latter speaks volumes in Hollywood.
Meryl Streep Actually Doesn't Like Prada
Just because she played a haughty magazine editor in "The Devil Wears Prada" doesn't mean Meryl Streep actually wears Prada. She told a French magazine that she only owns one pair of Prada shoes -- and they make her feet hurt. "It's not the shoes' fault: they are exquisitely made. I blame my feet. I've got my mother's feet," Streep said. Streep's on-screen character, Miranda Priestly, was a thinly veiled version of Vogue editor Anna Wintour, whose onetime assistant wrote the bestselling novel "The Devil Wears Prada." Streep certainly did a good job acting in the film -- the real Anna Wintour would never admit something like that.
TMZ
Just because she played a haughty magazine editor in "The Devil Wears Prada" doesn't mean Meryl Streep actually wears Prada. She told a French magazine that she only owns one pair of Prada shoes -- and they make her feet hurt. "It's not the shoes' fault: they are exquisitely made. I blame my feet. I've got my mother's feet," Streep said. Streep's on-screen character, Miranda Priestly, was a thinly veiled version of Vogue editor Anna Wintour, whose onetime assistant wrote the bestselling novel "The Devil Wears Prada." Streep certainly did a good job acting in the film -- the real Anna Wintour would never admit something like that.
TMZ
'Prada' Sets the Fashion at Overseas Box Office
Usurps throne from 'World Trade Center'
October 9, 2006
Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway in 'The Devil Wears Prada'Fashion overcame tragedy at the foreign box offices this weekend.
Couture satire "The Devil Wears Prada," based on Lauren Weisberger's novel, pushed out previous international box office champ "World Trade Center" this past week, earning an estimated $17.3 million across 35 territories, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"Prada" follows wannabe reporter Andy's (Anne Hathaway) new job as the executive assistant/Girl Friday/servant to ruthless fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). The film opened at the No. 1 spot in the U.K., Spain and Finland and vigorous second-week estimated of $2.6 million in France and $1.9 in Australia. It's international gross is currently $45.5 million.
"World Trade Center" ($12.5 million) dropped to second place, followed by Adam Sandler's comedy "Click" ($8.9 mil), Pixar's "Cars" ($3.1 mil) and then the ever-present "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" ($2.6 mil).
This brings the "Pirates" global coffers to 1.056 billion.
Usurps throne from 'World Trade Center'
October 9, 2006
Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway in 'The Devil Wears Prada'Fashion overcame tragedy at the foreign box offices this weekend.
Couture satire "The Devil Wears Prada," based on Lauren Weisberger's novel, pushed out previous international box office champ "World Trade Center" this past week, earning an estimated $17.3 million across 35 territories, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"Prada" follows wannabe reporter Andy's (Anne Hathaway) new job as the executive assistant/Girl Friday/servant to ruthless fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). The film opened at the No. 1 spot in the U.K., Spain and Finland and vigorous second-week estimated of $2.6 million in France and $1.9 in Australia. It's international gross is currently $45.5 million.
"World Trade Center" ($12.5 million) dropped to second place, followed by Adam Sandler's comedy "Click" ($8.9 mil), Pixar's "Cars" ($3.1 mil) and then the ever-present "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" ($2.6 mil).
This brings the "Pirates" global coffers to 1.056 billion.
'Departed,' 'Dreamgirls' win at Satellite Awards
Mirren, Whitaker take home top acting trophies
By ERIN MAXWELL, Variety
Martin Scorsese's "The Departed' was named best drama at the 11th Annual Satellite Awards on Sunday. The drama also took home prizes for supporting actor for Leonardo DiCaprio, best adapted screenplay for William Monahan, Siu Fai Mak, and Felix Chong and best ensemble pic.
In the comedy/musical category, "Dreamgirls" was named best of the year, with director Bill Condon tying with Clint Eastwood for "Flags of Our Fathers" in the helming race.
Top acting honors in drama went to Helen Mirren for "The Queen" and Forrest Whitaker for "The Last King of Scotland." For comedy, Joseph Cross was honored for his perf in "Running with Scissors," while Meryl Streep won for her take on the boss from hell in "The Devil Wears Prada."
The Satellite Awards were held at the Imperial Ballroom of le Méridian in Beverly Hills and are presented by the International Press Academy.
Mirren, Whitaker take home top acting trophies
By ERIN MAXWELL, Variety
Martin Scorsese's "The Departed' was named best drama at the 11th Annual Satellite Awards on Sunday. The drama also took home prizes for supporting actor for Leonardo DiCaprio, best adapted screenplay for William Monahan, Siu Fai Mak, and Felix Chong and best ensemble pic.
In the comedy/musical category, "Dreamgirls" was named best of the year, with director Bill Condon tying with Clint Eastwood for "Flags of Our Fathers" in the helming race.
Top acting honors in drama went to Helen Mirren for "The Queen" and Forrest Whitaker for "The Last King of Scotland." For comedy, Joseph Cross was honored for his perf in "Running with Scissors," while Meryl Streep won for her take on the boss from hell in "The Devil Wears Prada."
The Satellite Awards were held at the Imperial Ballroom of le Méridian in Beverly Hills and are presented by the International Press Academy.
Hanks, Streep Take a Chance on ABBA Musical
Actor's Playtone shingle will produce 'Mamma Mia!' movie
January 11, 2007
Bizarre Fact No. 1: The ABBA musical "Mamma Mia!" has grossed more than $1 billion worldwide since it opened in 1999.
Bizarre Fact No. 2: Tom Hanks is expected to executive produce "Mamma Mia!" for the big screen.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hanks and wife Rita Wilson are developing the "Mamma Mia!" feature for Universal Pictures and ABBA members Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus will also come on board as executive producers.
Phyllida Lloyd, a theater veteran who helmed the original London staging, is in talks to make her feature directing debut.
"Mamma Mia!" focuses on a bride-to-be who invites three men who might be her father to her wedding. Hilarity ensues along with some 22 ABBA classics including such usual suspects as "Dancing Queen" and "Take a Chance on Me."
The incomparable Meryl Streep will star as the bride's mother. It will be her first on-screen musical proper, although she's showed off her pipes in "A Prairie Home Companion," "Postcards Form the Edge" and "Death Becomes Her."
The show's stage creators Catherine Johnson and Judy Craymer will remain involved as screenwriter and producer respectively.
No word on whether or not Hanks or Wilson will take some sort of on-camera role as well.
Actor's Playtone shingle will produce 'Mamma Mia!' movie
January 11, 2007
Bizarre Fact No. 1: The ABBA musical "Mamma Mia!" has grossed more than $1 billion worldwide since it opened in 1999.
Bizarre Fact No. 2: Tom Hanks is expected to executive produce "Mamma Mia!" for the big screen.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hanks and wife Rita Wilson are developing the "Mamma Mia!" feature for Universal Pictures and ABBA members Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus will also come on board as executive producers.
Phyllida Lloyd, a theater veteran who helmed the original London staging, is in talks to make her feature directing debut.
"Mamma Mia!" focuses on a bride-to-be who invites three men who might be her father to her wedding. Hilarity ensues along with some 22 ABBA classics including such usual suspects as "Dancing Queen" and "Take a Chance on Me."
The incomparable Meryl Streep will star as the bride's mother. It will be her first on-screen musical proper, although she's showed off her pipes in "A Prairie Home Companion," "Postcards Form the Edge" and "Death Becomes Her."
The show's stage creators Catherine Johnson and Judy Craymer will remain involved as screenwriter and producer respectively.
No word on whether or not Hanks or Wilson will take some sort of on-camera role as well.
Meryl Streep Could Be In "Jackass 3" And Make It Oscar-worthy
It's hard to know if film adaptations of successful theater productions will be able to translate into the new medium. But if the participation of one of the most diverse and talented actresses of her time is any indication, the "Mamma Mia!" movie ain't gonna be too shabby. The Washington Post reports:
Meryl Streep will star in the movie version of the popular ABBA musical "Mamma Mia!" Theater veteran Phyllida Lloyd is in negotiations to make her feature directorial debut on the picture, which will be distributed by Universal Pictures.
The story revolves around a bride-to-be and her formerly rebellious mom who raised her on a Greek island and never disclosed the identity of her father. The bride locates three men who might be her father and invites them to her wedding. Streep will play the mom.
What a wonderful combination of two things I adore: Meryl Streep and ABBA. It's like, there is a God.
It's hard to know if film adaptations of successful theater productions will be able to translate into the new medium. But if the participation of one of the most diverse and talented actresses of her time is any indication, the "Mamma Mia!" movie ain't gonna be too shabby. The Washington Post reports:
Meryl Streep will star in the movie version of the popular ABBA musical "Mamma Mia!" Theater veteran Phyllida Lloyd is in negotiations to make her feature directorial debut on the picture, which will be distributed by Universal Pictures.
The story revolves around a bride-to-be and her formerly rebellious mom who raised her on a Greek island and never disclosed the identity of her father. The bride locates three men who might be her father and invites them to her wedding. Streep will play the mom.
What a wonderful combination of two things I adore: Meryl Streep and ABBA. It's like, there is a God.
Oscar Fug Carpet: Meryl Streep
Meryl Steep is, as we have said again and again in this space, awesome in so many ways. She is, of course, a great actress. She seems like she would be fun to socialize with. We still want her to adopt Lindsay Lohan, but she should feel free to add Britney Spears to that list, if she likes. But, girl, what is the deal with this?
She's giving us her blessings, which means a lot as she is apparently some sort of high priestess or shaman-type-person judging from the holy vestments she's working.
http://gofugyourself.typepad.com/go_fug_yo...g_carpe_11.html
Meryl Steep is, as we have said again and again in this space, awesome in so many ways. She is, of course, a great actress. She seems like she would be fun to socialize with. We still want her to adopt Lindsay Lohan, but she should feel free to add Britney Spears to that list, if she likes. But, girl, what is the deal with this?
She's giving us her blessings, which means a lot as she is apparently some sort of high priestess or shaman-type-person judging from the holy vestments she's working.
http://gofugyourself.typepad.com/go_fug_yo...g_carpe_11.html
(Pagesix.com)
Like Mother, Like Daughter
MERYL Streep's daughter Mamie Gummer, is headed to The Great White Way. She was overheard at The Plumm telling a pal that her play "The Autumn Garden," which she starred in over the summer in Williamstown, is coming to Broadway and she'll be in it. Gummer was at the club with her boyfriend of three months, Eric Murdoch, who was also in the play and will join her on Broadway. The two were drinking, dancing and cuddling all night.
Like Mother, Like Daughter
MERYL Streep's daughter Mamie Gummer, is headed to The Great White Way. She was overheard at The Plumm telling a pal that her play "The Autumn Garden," which she starred in over the summer in Williamstown, is coming to Broadway and she'll be in it. Gummer was at the club with her boyfriend of three months, Eric Murdoch, who was also in the play and will join her on Broadway. The two were drinking, dancing and cuddling all night.
(Pagesix.com)
Tough To Cast Tab
IT will be difficult finding a tall, blond hunk to star in the movie version of "Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star." Today's actors are shorter and darker than when Hunter and Troy Donahue were battling Rock Hudson for box-office supremacy. Director Robert Allan Ackerman, who won raves for his 2001 TV film "Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows," is searching for an unknown to play Hunter, says Santa Barbara News-Press columnist Richard Mineards. Hunter starred in "Damn Yankees" in 1958 and enjoyed a career revival in the '80s with "Polyester" and "Lust in the Dust." "One of the pivotal roles will be Tab's mother," says Mineards. "He says he'd like to have Glenn Close or Meryl Streep."
Tough To Cast Tab
IT will be difficult finding a tall, blond hunk to star in the movie version of "Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star." Today's actors are shorter and darker than when Hunter and Troy Donahue were battling Rock Hudson for box-office supremacy. Director Robert Allan Ackerman, who won raves for his 2001 TV film "Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows," is searching for an unknown to play Hunter, says Santa Barbara News-Press columnist Richard Mineards. Hunter starred in "Damn Yankees" in 1958 and enjoyed a career revival in the '80s with "Polyester" and "Lust in the Dust." "One of the pivotal roles will be Tab's mother," says Mineards. "He says he'd like to have Glenn Close or Meryl Streep."
Meryl Streep to play Julia Child
Nora Ephron attached to direct film
By TATIANA SIEGEL
Meryl Streep as Julia Child?
Columbia is cooking up "Julie & Julia," starring Streep as the famous chef and Amy Adams as a mastercook wannabe.
Project centers on a frustrated temp secretary who embarks on a yearlong culinary quest to cook all 524 recipes in Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." She chronicles her trials and tribulations in a blog that catches on with the food crowd.
Nora Ephron, who is adapting the screenplay from Julie Powell's book "Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen," is attached to direct.
Studio is eyeing a 2008 start date.
Streep will next be seen in the war-themed drama "Lions for Lambs."
Adams has three films awaiting release: "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day," "Charlie Wilson's War" and "Enchanted."
Nora Ephron attached to direct film
By TATIANA SIEGEL
Meryl Streep as Julia Child?
Columbia is cooking up "Julie & Julia," starring Streep as the famous chef and Amy Adams as a mastercook wannabe.
Project centers on a frustrated temp secretary who embarks on a yearlong culinary quest to cook all 524 recipes in Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." She chronicles her trials and tribulations in a blog that catches on with the food crowd.
Nora Ephron, who is adapting the screenplay from Julie Powell's book "Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen," is attached to direct.
Studio is eyeing a 2008 start date.
Streep will next be seen in the war-themed drama "Lions for Lambs."
Adams has three films awaiting release: "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day," "Charlie Wilson's War" and "Enchanted."
Meryl Streep To Play Julia Child
http://www.dlisted.com/
Meryl Streep will play Julia Child in the movie "Julie & Julia." The movie is based on the novel by Julie Powell about a frustrated secretary who tries to master all 524 recipes in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." The secretary chronicles her journey through a blog.
Amy Adams will play the secretary. Nora Ephron will direct for a 2008 start.
If anyone can do Julia's voice, it's Meryl. Have you ever tried making one of Julia's recipes? HELL NO! I'm not about to spend 10-hours making a damn roast chicken. It's called Boston Market and it's delicious.
http://www.dlisted.com/
Meryl Streep will play Julia Child in the movie "Julie & Julia." The movie is based on the novel by Julie Powell about a frustrated secretary who tries to master all 524 recipes in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." The secretary chronicles her journey through a blog.
Amy Adams will play the secretary. Nora Ephron will direct for a 2008 start.
If anyone can do Julia's voice, it's Meryl. Have you ever tried making one of Julia's recipes? HELL NO! I'm not about to spend 10-hours making a damn roast chicken. It's called Boston Market and it's delicious.
QUOTE (leaivory @ Nov 1 2007, 03:51 PM)
Meryl Streep To Play Julia Child
http://www.dlisted.com/
Meryl Streep will play Julia Child in the movie "Julie & Julia." The movie is based on the novel by Julie Powell about a frustrated secretary who tries to master all 524 recipes in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." The secretary chronicles her journey through a blog.
Amy Adams will play the secretary. Nora Ephron will direct for a 2008 start.
If anyone can do Julia's voice, it's Meryl. Have you ever tried making one of Julia's recipes? HELL NO! I'm not about to spend 10-hours making a damn roast chicken. It's called Boston Market and it's delicious.
http://www.dlisted.com/
Meryl Streep will play Julia Child in the movie "Julie & Julia." The movie is based on the novel by Julie Powell about a frustrated secretary who tries to master all 524 recipes in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." The secretary chronicles her journey through a blog.
Amy Adams will play the secretary. Nora Ephron will direct for a 2008 start.
If anyone can do Julia's voice, it's Meryl. Have you ever tried making one of Julia's recipes? HELL NO! I'm not about to spend 10-hours making a damn roast chicken. It's called Boston Market and it's delicious.
I love Nora Ephron! I've read some of her books about herself and she's so funny and insightful and honest. She also loves to cook and has done a lot of Julia's recipes through the years. This should be good. (IMO)
Rough start for United Artists
Weak box office for 'Lions' gives UA bumpy ride
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK
The much-touted 'Lions for Lambs' isn't expected to hit the $20 million mark at the domestic box office.
The weak box office performance of "Lions for Lambs" marks a rough start for Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner's United Artists, with the film looking likely to gross no more than $60 million worldwide.
Pic, which boasted the marquee trio of Cruise, Redford (who also directed) and Meryl Streep, isn't expected to hit the $20 million mark in the U.S. MGM distributed Stateside, and 20th Century Fox Intl. has it overseas.
Removing some of the sting is the fact that the film cost only $35 million to produce.
While it's true that start-up studios and production companies aren't made or broken by their first film, UA is far more high-profile than most ventures, meaning its every move will be scrutinized. "Lions" is the label's first release since being revived a year ago by Cruise and Wagner following their departure from the Paramount lot.
But there's no denying that with that kind of star power, "Lions" was still expected to do far better at the box office, both here and overseas, where Cruise has enjoyed blockbuster status.
"Lions," which heads into its fourth frame this weekend, grossed $14 million through Tuesday at the domestic box office, according to Rentrak.
Overseas, the film grossed $27 million through Wednesday. The final overseas haul should come in between $35 million and $40 million. Film has only two major foreign territories left in which to open: Japan and Italy.
UA doesn't try to hide its disappointment at the film's failure to grab the attention of auds, saying it was one in a string of dramas about the Middle East and the war on terror that didn't work this fall. At the same time, studio says no one is panicking, including its investors.
This summer, UA secured a $500 million film financing fund from Merrill Lynch to finance 15-18 films over five years. MGM put up the equity portion of the fund, likely meaning $50 million to $60 million. That way, MGM owns UA titles. Harry Sloan's MGM owns 65% of UA; Wagner and Cruise own the rest.
Wagner said that "Lions" represents everything that the revitalized UA stands for, and that its importance extends beyond just box office haul. She said the film helped UA secure the Merrill Lynch fund.
"We do recognize that it hasn't performed as well as we would have liked, but we don't regret making it. I think it's very important that a film company be judged by a slate of films, not just one film," Wagner said.
"It was a Robert Redford film that was timely, relevant and engaging. It represented the very essence of the United Artists legacy, and it made perfect sense for it to be our first movie," she continued. "You have to look at us as a start-up company. We had zero assets. The cupboard was bare. Now we have one movie in our library, a movie we are very proud of."
"Lions" is hardly the only film that underperformed this fall, or that will lose money. Other disappointments include New Line's political drama "Rendition," DreamWorks-Paramount's Ben Stiller laffer "The Heartbreak Kid," U's "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" and Fox-Walden's "The Seeker: The Dark is Rising," to name some examples.
UA insists that "Lions" is in no way a reflection of Cruise's star status, and that it wasn't a Tom Cruise movie, per se. UA's next release, Bryan Singer's "Valkyrie," however, is definitely a Cruise vehicle. Film will unspool July 27.
The last time one of Cruise's films grossed under $20 million domestically was more than 20 years ago. Released in 1986, "Legend" grossed $15.5 million domestically. Two years earlier, All the Right Moves" grossed $17.2 million, though times -- and expectations -- were different back them.
Some say "Lions" could lose as much as $25 million, although UA and parent company MGM won't comment on any figures. They said that "Lions" could even be profitable once it gets into its home entertainment and television runs.
As with any film financing fund, money is repaid to the equity portion last, meaning that part of the Merrill Lynch fund put up by MGM and its investors.
In putting up the equity, MGM likely bolstered its relationship with Creative Artists Agency, where Cruise is repped and where Wagner's husband, Rick Nicita, is an agent.
"Is there any immediate fallout from 'Lions' for MGM, or UA? No. If seven movies bombed, maybe, but we are talking about one movie. This isn't tearing our world apart. Any studio knows that if you produce 10 movies, six could fail," one MGM exec said.
Wagner reiterated that UA intends to make a wide variety of films, and that the studio is developing a comedy for Cruise. Announced projects include "Champions," the bigscreen adaptation of Brit sci-fi TV series that Guillermo del Toro has signed on to write and direct.
Last week, UA announced that it was postponing production of Oliver Stone's Vietnam drama "Pinkville" because of the writers strike. News coincided with word that Bruce Willis was departing the project. Film was set to start production this winter.
"Running a studio is a marathon, not a sprint. You want every picture to be successful. That's the goal. But the reality of the biz is that not every one will be. If you can't deal with that, don't be in business," Wagner said. "We are one year out now, and I have to say that we are very confident about the soundness of our business model."
Weak box office for 'Lions' gives UA bumpy ride
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK
The much-touted 'Lions for Lambs' isn't expected to hit the $20 million mark at the domestic box office.
The weak box office performance of "Lions for Lambs" marks a rough start for Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner's United Artists, with the film looking likely to gross no more than $60 million worldwide.
Pic, which boasted the marquee trio of Cruise, Redford (who also directed) and Meryl Streep, isn't expected to hit the $20 million mark in the U.S. MGM distributed Stateside, and 20th Century Fox Intl. has it overseas.
Removing some of the sting is the fact that the film cost only $35 million to produce.
While it's true that start-up studios and production companies aren't made or broken by their first film, UA is far more high-profile than most ventures, meaning its every move will be scrutinized. "Lions" is the label's first release since being revived a year ago by Cruise and Wagner following their departure from the Paramount lot.
But there's no denying that with that kind of star power, "Lions" was still expected to do far better at the box office, both here and overseas, where Cruise has enjoyed blockbuster status.
"Lions," which heads into its fourth frame this weekend, grossed $14 million through Tuesday at the domestic box office, according to Rentrak.
Overseas, the film grossed $27 million through Wednesday. The final overseas haul should come in between $35 million and $40 million. Film has only two major foreign territories left in which to open: Japan and Italy.
UA doesn't try to hide its disappointment at the film's failure to grab the attention of auds, saying it was one in a string of dramas about the Middle East and the war on terror that didn't work this fall. At the same time, studio says no one is panicking, including its investors.
This summer, UA secured a $500 million film financing fund from Merrill Lynch to finance 15-18 films over five years. MGM put up the equity portion of the fund, likely meaning $50 million to $60 million. That way, MGM owns UA titles. Harry Sloan's MGM owns 65% of UA; Wagner and Cruise own the rest.
Wagner said that "Lions" represents everything that the revitalized UA stands for, and that its importance extends beyond just box office haul. She said the film helped UA secure the Merrill Lynch fund.
"We do recognize that it hasn't performed as well as we would have liked, but we don't regret making it. I think it's very important that a film company be judged by a slate of films, not just one film," Wagner said.
"It was a Robert Redford film that was timely, relevant and engaging. It represented the very essence of the United Artists legacy, and it made perfect sense for it to be our first movie," she continued. "You have to look at us as a start-up company. We had zero assets. The cupboard was bare. Now we have one movie in our library, a movie we are very proud of."
"Lions" is hardly the only film that underperformed this fall, or that will lose money. Other disappointments include New Line's political drama "Rendition," DreamWorks-Paramount's Ben Stiller laffer "The Heartbreak Kid," U's "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" and Fox-Walden's "The Seeker: The Dark is Rising," to name some examples.
UA insists that "Lions" is in no way a reflection of Cruise's star status, and that it wasn't a Tom Cruise movie, per se. UA's next release, Bryan Singer's "Valkyrie," however, is definitely a Cruise vehicle. Film will unspool July 27.
The last time one of Cruise's films grossed under $20 million domestically was more than 20 years ago. Released in 1986, "Legend" grossed $15.5 million domestically. Two years earlier, All the Right Moves" grossed $17.2 million, though times -- and expectations -- were different back them.
Some say "Lions" could lose as much as $25 million, although UA and parent company MGM won't comment on any figures. They said that "Lions" could even be profitable once it gets into its home entertainment and television runs.
As with any film financing fund, money is repaid to the equity portion last, meaning that part of the Merrill Lynch fund put up by MGM and its investors.
In putting up the equity, MGM likely bolstered its relationship with Creative Artists Agency, where Cruise is repped and where Wagner's husband, Rick Nicita, is an agent.
"Is there any immediate fallout from 'Lions' for MGM, or UA? No. If seven movies bombed, maybe, but we are talking about one movie. This isn't tearing our world apart. Any studio knows that if you produce 10 movies, six could fail," one MGM exec said.
Wagner reiterated that UA intends to make a wide variety of films, and that the studio is developing a comedy for Cruise. Announced projects include "Champions," the bigscreen adaptation of Brit sci-fi TV series that Guillermo del Toro has signed on to write and direct.
Last week, UA announced that it was postponing production of Oliver Stone's Vietnam drama "Pinkville" because of the writers strike. News coincided with word that Bruce Willis was departing the project. Film was set to start production this winter.
"Running a studio is a marathon, not a sprint. You want every picture to be successful. That's the goal. But the reality of the biz is that not every one will be. If you can't deal with that, don't be in business," Wagner said. "We are one year out now, and I have to say that we are very confident about the soundness of our business model."
Pitt's star power couldn't help 'James'
Specialty film fails at box office despite Brad
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" signals a trend that leaves Hollywood worried as 2007 rings out: A number of pics touting the biggest stars couldn't find their groove.
Specialty films like "Jesse James," featuring Brad Pitt and directed by New Zealander Andrew Dominik, joined others starring Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep in getting lost at the box office this fall.
"Jesse James" has grossed just $3.8 million domestically and another $7.5 million overseas. It's still playing in 30 or so theaters in the U.S., with Warners hoping for a bump from its awards runs. But with such low box office, the film is in a precarious position.
All the publicity is putting a lot of pressure on Mike Nichols' Tom Hanks-Julia Roberts starrer "Charlie Wilson's War," which unspooled Dec. 21.
The idea that the biggest stars aren't bulletproof is nothing new; it's just never happened to this extent in one year.
And, in the case of "Jesse James," it once again raises the age-old question -- at what point does a studio take back power from the filmmaker?
Making "James" was a long and arduous process. There was a well-publicized tug-of-war between director Andrew Dominik, who caught Hollywood's attention with indie title "Chopper," and Warners over the editing of the film.
Warners' wasn't entirely in sync with the pacing of the movie, or the length (one cut ran more than three hours). Dominik was thinking more like Terence Malick in examining the relationship between the famous outlaw and his eventual assassin, Robert Ford, played by Casey Affleck. Warners was in favor of having at least a bit more action.
Dominik based his script on the book by Ron Hansen.
Ultimately, Warners went with Dominik's version, even though Dominik didn't have final cut as part of his contract. Part of the reason was that Pitt, who produced the movie through his Plan B shingle, backed Dominik. At one point along the way, Pitt and exec producer Ridley Scott had put together their own cut. When it tested to only so-so results, they went back to Dominik's.
Another chief reason is that Warners considers itself to be a filmmaker-friendly studio. That has been one of the hallmarks of Jeff Robinov's tenure as prexy of production, and he soon will be transitioning to a larger role at the studio.
"We're not a place that says, 'It's my way or the highway,' " one Warners executive says.
The studio says "Jesse James" cost $30 million to produce. Shooting was actually completed in the latter part of 2005; the release was delayed by more than a year until September 2007 due to editing.
By the time "Jesse James" opened in five locations Sept. 21, Warners had tempered its expectations; usually, when a film underperforms at the box office, there's all sorts of hand-wringing back on the studio lot.
Warners is surprised, though, that Pitt isn't getting more awards attention in the U.S. after winning best actor for the pic at the Venice Film Fest.
So far, it's Affleck who is feeling most of the awards heat. Affleck nabbed a Golden Globe supporting actor nom, and won the supporting actor nod from the National Board of Review.
One studio exec says people are in the mood to be entertained -- regardless of the name on the marquee, at least to some extent.
"I think it's the movie, not the movie star," one studio exec says. "Movies like 'Juno' have the accumulation of great contemporary resonance, and you have a dazzling breakthrough performance in Ellen Page."
The star that turned out to be the legend of the 2007 box office? Will Smith, whose "I Am Legend" debuted at $76.5 million, the highest opening ever for a December pic.
Specialty film fails at box office despite Brad
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" signals a trend that leaves Hollywood worried as 2007 rings out: A number of pics touting the biggest stars couldn't find their groove.
Specialty films like "Jesse James," featuring Brad Pitt and directed by New Zealander Andrew Dominik, joined others starring Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep in getting lost at the box office this fall.
"Jesse James" has grossed just $3.8 million domestically and another $7.5 million overseas. It's still playing in 30 or so theaters in the U.S., with Warners hoping for a bump from its awards runs. But with such low box office, the film is in a precarious position.
All the publicity is putting a lot of pressure on Mike Nichols' Tom Hanks-Julia Roberts starrer "Charlie Wilson's War," which unspooled Dec. 21.
The idea that the biggest stars aren't bulletproof is nothing new; it's just never happened to this extent in one year.
And, in the case of "Jesse James," it once again raises the age-old question -- at what point does a studio take back power from the filmmaker?
Making "James" was a long and arduous process. There was a well-publicized tug-of-war between director Andrew Dominik, who caught Hollywood's attention with indie title "Chopper," and Warners over the editing of the film.
Warners' wasn't entirely in sync with the pacing of the movie, or the length (one cut ran more than three hours). Dominik was thinking more like Terence Malick in examining the relationship between the famous outlaw and his eventual assassin, Robert Ford, played by Casey Affleck. Warners was in favor of having at least a bit more action.
Dominik based his script on the book by Ron Hansen.
Ultimately, Warners went with Dominik's version, even though Dominik didn't have final cut as part of his contract. Part of the reason was that Pitt, who produced the movie through his Plan B shingle, backed Dominik. At one point along the way, Pitt and exec producer Ridley Scott had put together their own cut. When it tested to only so-so results, they went back to Dominik's.
Another chief reason is that Warners considers itself to be a filmmaker-friendly studio. That has been one of the hallmarks of Jeff Robinov's tenure as prexy of production, and he soon will be transitioning to a larger role at the studio.
"We're not a place that says, 'It's my way or the highway,' " one Warners executive says.
The studio says "Jesse James" cost $30 million to produce. Shooting was actually completed in the latter part of 2005; the release was delayed by more than a year until September 2007 due to editing.
By the time "Jesse James" opened in five locations Sept. 21, Warners had tempered its expectations; usually, when a film underperforms at the box office, there's all sorts of hand-wringing back on the studio lot.
Warners is surprised, though, that Pitt isn't getting more awards attention in the U.S. after winning best actor for the pic at the Venice Film Fest.
So far, it's Affleck who is feeling most of the awards heat. Affleck nabbed a Golden Globe supporting actor nom, and won the supporting actor nod from the National Board of Review.
One studio exec says people are in the mood to be entertained -- regardless of the name on the marquee, at least to some extent.
"I think it's the movie, not the movie star," one studio exec says. "Movies like 'Juno' have the accumulation of great contemporary resonance, and you have a dazzling breakthrough performance in Ellen Page."
The star that turned out to be the legend of the 2007 box office? Will Smith, whose "I Am Legend" debuted at $76.5 million, the highest opening ever for a December pic.
Hollywood stars seek early start to labor talks
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Hollywood stars George Clooney, Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep are urging the Screen Actors Guild to start talks for a new labor contract as soon as possible in order to avert a strike.
Two days after the Writers Guild of America ended a three-month strike, the Oscar-winning quartet placed ads in the Thursday editions of trade papers Daily Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. The ads urged SAG leaders to commit to negotiating a deal quickly, Daily Variety reported.
SAG, whose militant leadership strongly supported the writers' strike, has not yet set talks in preparation for the June 30 expiration of its contract with the studios.
SAG's committee on wages and working conditions has been preparing for the talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the studios' bargaining arm.
Even though the writers walkout just ended, Hollywood is in the throes of a de facto strike because movie studios are reluctant to commit to projects if there is a risk they could be shut down by an actors' stoppage.
The last major SAG strike lasted for three months in 1980. In 2000, commercials actors struck for six months.
SAG national executive director Doug Allen said on Wednesday that the union, which represents about 120,000 actors, would begin talks "at a time that will most benefit our members."
But Clooney expressed concern last week that there was "a lot of strike fatigue" in Hollywood and claimed SAG officials would lose negotiating power the longer they waited to begin talks with movie and television producers.
Members of the writers union will vote later on their proposed three-year contract, which provides new payments to writers for work streamed on the Internet and doubles rates they earn for films and TV shows resold as Internet downloads. It also extends the union's contract to cover made-for-Web content.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Hollywood stars George Clooney, Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep are urging the Screen Actors Guild to start talks for a new labor contract as soon as possible in order to avert a strike.
Two days after the Writers Guild of America ended a three-month strike, the Oscar-winning quartet placed ads in the Thursday editions of trade papers Daily Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. The ads urged SAG leaders to commit to negotiating a deal quickly, Daily Variety reported.
SAG, whose militant leadership strongly supported the writers' strike, has not yet set talks in preparation for the June 30 expiration of its contract with the studios.
SAG's committee on wages and working conditions has been preparing for the talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the studios' bargaining arm.
Even though the writers walkout just ended, Hollywood is in the throes of a de facto strike because movie studios are reluctant to commit to projects if there is a risk they could be shut down by an actors' stoppage.
The last major SAG strike lasted for three months in 1980. In 2000, commercials actors struck for six months.
SAG national executive director Doug Allen said on Wednesday that the union, which represents about 120,000 actors, would begin talks "at a time that will most benefit our members."
But Clooney expressed concern last week that there was "a lot of strike fatigue" in Hollywood and claimed SAG officials would lose negotiating power the longer they waited to begin talks with movie and television producers.
Members of the writers union will vote later on their proposed three-year contract, which provides new payments to writers for work streamed on the Internet and doubles rates they earn for films and TV shows resold as Internet downloads. It also extends the union's contract to cover made-for-Web content.
Delayed Streep film gets release date
AP
HONG KONG - A Meryl Streep movie about a student who turns violent on a U.S. campus that was delayed following the Virginia Tech shootings will be released this spring, its distrubutor said Friday, just hours after another campus rampage that left five dead.
"Dark Matter," which also stars Liu Ye, one of China's rising stars, will debut in New York City on April 11 and be released in other American cities after that, Gary Rubin, president of First Independent Pictures, told The Associated Press in a phone interview Friday.
Rubin said the film, directed by Chinese-born director Chen Shizheng, had been scheduled for release last year but its producers and investors shelved the movie "out of respect for the Virginia Tech incident."
The release date comes a year after Korean-American student Cho Seung-hui killed 32 people and himself at the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, on April 16.
The announcement also comes after another U.S. campus shooting incident. On Thursday, a former student opened fire in a science class at Northern Illinois University, killing five students and wounding 16 before committing suicide.
Like the student in the Virginia Tech shooting, the disgruntled student in "Dark Matter" is Asian. In the film, inspired by true events, Liu plays a Chinese science graduate student who becomes violent after dealing with academic politics at a U.S. university.
Streep plays a wealthy patron of the university who befriends the student.
Rubin says he believes it's now the right time to release "Dark Matter."
"Obviously that (Virginia Tech) was a long time ago. We're not even focusing on that aspect of it at this point. It's a good movie and we feel it should get out there," he said.
Rubin said "Dark Matter" initially will target art-house markets in the U.S., but it's unclear if Streep and Liu will promote it. Rubin said the movie's marketing plan is still being decided.
The movie won the Alfred P. Sloan Prize for movies about science at the Sundance Film Festival last year.
AP
HONG KONG - A Meryl Streep movie about a student who turns violent on a U.S. campus that was delayed following the Virginia Tech shootings will be released this spring, its distrubutor said Friday, just hours after another campus rampage that left five dead.
"Dark Matter," which also stars Liu Ye, one of China's rising stars, will debut in New York City on April 11 and be released in other American cities after that, Gary Rubin, president of First Independent Pictures, told The Associated Press in a phone interview Friday.
Rubin said the film, directed by Chinese-born director Chen Shizheng, had been scheduled for release last year but its producers and investors shelved the movie "out of respect for the Virginia Tech incident."
The release date comes a year after Korean-American student Cho Seung-hui killed 32 people and himself at the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, on April 16.
The announcement also comes after another U.S. campus shooting incident. On Thursday, a former student opened fire in a science class at Northern Illinois University, killing five students and wounding 16 before committing suicide.
Like the student in the Virginia Tech shooting, the disgruntled student in "Dark Matter" is Asian. In the film, inspired by true events, Liu plays a Chinese science graduate student who becomes violent after dealing with academic politics at a U.S. university.
Streep plays a wealthy patron of the university who befriends the student.
Rubin says he believes it's now the right time to release "Dark Matter."
"Obviously that (Virginia Tech) was a long time ago. We're not even focusing on that aspect of it at this point. It's a good movie and we feel it should get out there," he said.
Rubin said "Dark Matter" initially will target art-house markets in the U.S., but it's unclear if Streep and Liu will promote it. Rubin said the movie's marketing plan is still being decided.
The movie won the Alfred P. Sloan Prize for movies about science at the Sundance Film Festival last year.
"24" actress joins "Julia" cast
"24" star Mary Lynn Rajskub has joined Amy Adams and Meryl Streep in "Julie and Julia," a movie inspired by late cooking icon Julia Child.
The Columbia Pictures film tells the true story of Julie Powell (Adams), who spent a year cooking all 524 recipes in Child's classic cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cuisine," and blogging about her experiences.
Rajskub plays Powell's best friend, Helen. The film also covers Child's life in France in the 1940s and 1950s, based on her biography. Streep plays Child, and her "The Devil Wears Prada" co-star Stanley Tucci plays her husband, Paul.
Nora Ephron is currently shooting the film in New York.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
"24" star Mary Lynn Rajskub has joined Amy Adams and Meryl Streep in "Julie and Julia," a movie inspired by late cooking icon Julia Child.
The Columbia Pictures film tells the true story of Julie Powell (Adams), who spent a year cooking all 524 recipes in Child's classic cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cuisine," and blogging about her experiences.
Rajskub plays Powell's best friend, Helen. The film also covers Child's life in France in the 1940s and 1950s, based on her biography. Streep plays Child, and her "The Devil Wears Prada" co-star Stanley Tucci plays her husband, Paul.
Nora Ephron is currently shooting the film in New York.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
I love Meryl Streep. One of the very best actresses out there (by the way Fakey, Meryl is what I call A-list)
QUOTE (Hihomumio @ Apr 4 2008, 09:26 AM)
I love Meryl Streep. One of the very best actresses out there (by the way Fakey, Meryl is what I call A-list)
Amen. I wonder what Fakey thinks of people who are ACTUALLY A-list. Are they, like, gods on Mt. Olympus or something?
I love that Meryl's playing Julia Child. I used to see Julia in Cambridge and Boston once in a while. HUGE woman - like six feet tall and large-framed, with a booming voice that carried down the block. I'm not a gourmand or a great cook or anything but I always got a thrill when I'd see her - just because. She was a spy during WWII, which I always thought was fascinating.
However, I feel for the secretary in this movie. I cannot imagine trying EVERY recipe in The Art of French Cooking. I'd have to kill myself about 25% of the way through - for sure.
Meryl Streep's Sage Advice
Meryl Streep has some good advice for her daughter and other young women looking to showbiz as a career path.
Streep spoke to Extra on the red carpet - she was being honored by The Film Society of Lincoln Center.
About the honor, Streep exclaims, “It’s wonderful. It’s nerve-wracking. It’s exciting….It's kind of a combination funeral celebration.”
As for the best show business advice she has received, Streep reveals, “Robert Redford gave me good advice.
He said, ‘You don't have to talk to everybody that wants to talk to you. You don't have to go to everything and be photographed everywhere.’”
When asked who Streep would choose to play herself in an autobiographical film, the legendary actress jokes, “Somebody tall and thin.”
Streep admitted that her look-alike daughter, Mamie Gummer, is out of the running for the role joking that “she knows too much dirt.”
Source: people.monstersandcritics.com
Meryl Streep has some good advice for her daughter and other young women looking to showbiz as a career path.
Streep spoke to Extra on the red carpet - she was being honored by The Film Society of Lincoln Center.
About the honor, Streep exclaims, “It’s wonderful. It’s nerve-wracking. It’s exciting….It's kind of a combination funeral celebration.”
As for the best show business advice she has received, Streep reveals, “Robert Redford gave me good advice.
He said, ‘You don't have to talk to everybody that wants to talk to you. You don't have to go to everything and be photographed everywhere.’”
When asked who Streep would choose to play herself in an autobiographical film, the legendary actress jokes, “Somebody tall and thin.”
Streep admitted that her look-alike daughter, Mamie Gummer, is out of the running for the role joking that “she knows too much dirt.”
Source: people.monstersandcritics.com
Close Constantly Mistaken For Streep
GLENN CLOSE has laughed off her big-screen success - because she's constantly mistaken for fellow Hollywood actress MERYL STREEP.
The Fatal Attraction star is a household name in her own right - she has been nominated for an Oscar five times and won a clutch of Golden Globe and Emmy Awards throughout her 30 year career.
But Close admits she only gets stopped by fans because of her resemblance to The Devil Wears Prada star.
She says, "It happens every now and then and it's always very very funny. I was just in Paris at the Armani show and this woman came up with all her crew and said, 'You must know all about the haute couture now?' I said, 'Really, why?' and she said, 'Because of The Devil Wears Prada.'"
Source: contactmusic
GLENN CLOSE has laughed off her big-screen success - because she's constantly mistaken for fellow Hollywood actress MERYL STREEP.
The Fatal Attraction star is a household name in her own right - she has been nominated for an Oscar five times and won a clutch of Golden Globe and Emmy Awards throughout her 30 year career.
But Close admits she only gets stopped by fans because of her resemblance to The Devil Wears Prada star.
She says, "It happens every now and then and it's always very very funny. I was just in Paris at the Armani show and this woman came up with all her crew and said, 'You must know all about the haute couture now?' I said, 'Really, why?' and she said, 'Because of The Devil Wears Prada.'"
Source: contactmusic
Streep Not Ready For Daughter To Wed
MERYL STREEP is dreading the day her eldest daughter marries - because she's "not ready" to give away her child.
The Hollywood star has four children with her husband of 31 years, sculptor Don Gummer, and the couple will soon welcome British actor Ben Walker into its family when he exchanges vows with Mary 'Mamie' Gummer.
But Streep admits she is secretly harbouring mixed feelings about her 26 year old getting married.
She says, "My eldest daughter... I'm not ready, but I really love Benjamin Walker. It's exciting."
Walker proposed to Gummer in October (09) after 18 months of dating.
Source contactmusic
MERYL STREEP is dreading the day her eldest daughter marries - because she's "not ready" to give away her child.
The Hollywood star has four children with her husband of 31 years, sculptor Don Gummer, and the couple will soon welcome British actor Ben Walker into its family when he exchanges vows with Mary 'Mamie' Gummer.
But Streep admits she is secretly harbouring mixed feelings about her 26 year old getting married.
She says, "My eldest daughter... I'm not ready, but I really love Benjamin Walker. It's exciting."
Walker proposed to Gummer in October (09) after 18 months of dating.
Source contactmusic
Meryl Streep happy to be married to sculptor
Meryl Streep attributes her marriage success to her husband's career as an artist, insisting she could never survive a relationship with a partner in a more traditional job.
The "Sophie's Choice" star has been married to sculptor Don Gummer since 1978, and she's amazed their union has lasted more than 30 years.
Streep believes her husband's creative career has helped maintain their romance - because he understands why she pours so much emotion into her work.
She says, "Think being married to an actor is hard? Try being married to an artist. But my husband does understand the deal: the serial fixation actors have with their work. It would be different if I were married to a lawyer or someone less freelance.
"Artists wrangle their passions to make a living. I never have to say, 'It's not you, I'm just thinking about this film now and it's driving me crazy.' Because often it is the same for him."
The couple has four children together.
source: http://www.sfgate.com
Meryl Streep attributes her marriage success to her husband's career as an artist, insisting she could never survive a relationship with a partner in a more traditional job.
The "Sophie's Choice" star has been married to sculptor Don Gummer since 1978, and she's amazed their union has lasted more than 30 years.
Streep believes her husband's creative career has helped maintain their romance - because he understands why she pours so much emotion into her work.
She says, "Think being married to an actor is hard? Try being married to an artist. But my husband does understand the deal: the serial fixation actors have with their work. It would be different if I were married to a lawyer or someone less freelance.
"Artists wrangle their passions to make a living. I never have to say, 'It's not you, I'm just thinking about this film now and it's driving me crazy.' Because often it is the same for him."
The couple has four children together.
source: http://www.sfgate.com
Streep Says No To Botox
MERYL STREEP will never use Botox to preserve her good looks, insisting actresses who succumb to facial-freezing injections draw even more attention to their features.
The Devil Wears Prada star and mum-of-four is happy to age gracefully and refuses to resort to cosmetic surgery or facial fillers - as it often distracts from a performance.
Streep, 60, says, "To each his own. I really understand the chagrin that accompanies ageing, especially for a woman, but I think people look funny when they freeze their faces.
"In Los Angeles there's a lot of that. I pick up on the part that doesn't move on a face. I'm immediately drawn to it and that is the opposite of what you're intending. You pull focus to the area that's been worked on."
Source contactmusic
MERYL STREEP will never use Botox to preserve her good looks, insisting actresses who succumb to facial-freezing injections draw even more attention to their features.
The Devil Wears Prada star and mum-of-four is happy to age gracefully and refuses to resort to cosmetic surgery or facial fillers - as it often distracts from a performance.
Streep, 60, says, "To each his own. I really understand the chagrin that accompanies ageing, especially for a woman, but I think people look funny when they freeze their faces.
"In Los Angeles there's a lot of that. I pick up on the part that doesn't move on a face. I'm immediately drawn to it and that is the opposite of what you're intending. You pull focus to the area that's been worked on."
Source contactmusic
Meryl Streep's Understanding Husband
Meryl Streep's marriage works because her husband is very understanding.
The 'Mamma Mia!' star - who has been married to her artist husband Don Gummer for the past 31 years - said the secret to their successful marriage was that he understood just how absorbed she needed to become within her work as an actress.
The 60-year-old Oscar-winner said: "People think being married to an actor is hard but my husband does understand the deal - the sort of serial fixation that actors have with their work that makes things hard."
Meryl said Don particularly understood her lifestyle because he also worked freelance as an artist.
She said: "I think it would be different if I was married to a lawyer or an accountant, someone who was less freelance, unlike artists who are wrangling their passions to make a living. That's basically what he does too, so he understands what I do. His sensibility is similar.
"I never have to say 'It's not you, I'm just thinking about this film now and it's driving me crazy.' Because I know it can be the same for him."
Source contactmusic
Meryl Streep's marriage works because her husband is very understanding.
The 'Mamma Mia!' star - who has been married to her artist husband Don Gummer for the past 31 years - said the secret to their successful marriage was that he understood just how absorbed she needed to become within her work as an actress.
The 60-year-old Oscar-winner said: "People think being married to an actor is hard but my husband does understand the deal - the sort of serial fixation that actors have with their work that makes things hard."
Meryl said Don particularly understood her lifestyle because he also worked freelance as an artist.
She said: "I think it would be different if I was married to a lawyer or an accountant, someone who was less freelance, unlike artists who are wrangling their passions to make a living. That's basically what he does too, so he understands what I do. His sensibility is similar.
"I never have to say 'It's not you, I'm just thinking about this film now and it's driving me crazy.' Because I know it can be the same for him."
Source contactmusic
Meryl Streep: ‘Modern Actresses Are Too Self Aware’
MERYL Streep wouldn’t dream of becoming an actress in this day and age.
The Hollywood legend, 60, claims many new actresses are too self aware and it ruins their ability to do their job well.
“The world was different when I was a young actress,” she said. “These days there’s so much scrutiny, everyone’s so self aware, and that self consciousness is the thing that kills your acting ability.
“What you look like, and how you seem, is all young actors consume themselves with instead of their characters. It makes it so much harder to be fresh each time.”
However Meryl does admit she never believed she would be an actress full time and she had her heart set on a legal career.
“I loved it, but I thought it was frivolous,” she said. “I remember thinking, ‘OK this is stupid. Oh yeah, you’re going to be an actress, sure. I’m going to do something serious with my life. I’m going to be an environmental lawyer’.
“Then I slept through the law school admission test, so I took it as a sign from heaven to stay in drama school.”
Source showbizspy.com
MERYL Streep wouldn’t dream of becoming an actress in this day and age.
The Hollywood legend, 60, claims many new actresses are too self aware and it ruins their ability to do their job well.
“The world was different when I was a young actress,” she said. “These days there’s so much scrutiny, everyone’s so self aware, and that self consciousness is the thing that kills your acting ability.
“What you look like, and how you seem, is all young actors consume themselves with instead of their characters. It makes it so much harder to be fresh each time.”
However Meryl does admit she never believed she would be an actress full time and she had her heart set on a legal career.
“I loved it, but I thought it was frivolous,” she said. “I remember thinking, ‘OK this is stupid. Oh yeah, you’re going to be an actress, sure. I’m going to do something serious with my life. I’m going to be an environmental lawyer’.
“Then I slept through the law school admission test, so I took it as a sign from heaven to stay in drama school.”
Source showbizspy.com
Meryl Streep
In a white Chris March gown with a silver crystal mesh Mystic clutch from Swarovski.
In a white Chris March gown with a silver crystal mesh Mystic clutch from Swarovski.
QUOTE (ElleDriver @ Mar 8 2010, 11:51 AM)
Meryl Streep
In a white Chris March gown with a silver crystal mesh Mystic clutch from Swarovski.
In a white Chris March gown with a silver crystal mesh Mystic clutch from Swarovski.
Meryl has looked very nice at several of the recent award shows. She must have someone new helping her choose her clothing.
That's not a bad dress but I wish she'd jazzed it up a little bit. It's awfully plain.
I loved it - I think she looked stunning and I LOVE the simplicity. Suits her.
QUOTE (Hoyaheel @ Mar 9 2010, 09:03 AM)
I loved it - I think she looked stunning and I LOVE the simplicity. Suits her.
I agree. I think she looked amazing. LOVE her.
She is beautiful, and this was one of her better choices. I've heard rumors that she has cheated on her hubby with other actors she has starred with.
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