Happy 76th, Meryl!

Our girl turns 76 today. I feel more optimistic about how much we're going to see her on screen in the near future than I was last year at this time. I don't think anyone would fault her (or anyone) for deciding to hang things up. But I think acting is different than digging ditches or treating patients in a clinic. It's a different kind of work that, particularly for Meryl, is perhaps more necessary for personal wellness and gratification than it is for some sense of being useful. And we all benefit from it.

The Devil Wears Prada sequel is set to start filming next month, the fifth season of Only Murders in the Building is likely going to be released at the end of the summer, she's voicing Narnia soon, and there's still the possibility that the limited series version of The Corrections will get underway later this year. This last one is the project I'd most want her to complete. The point is that she's still kickin' when it comes to acting on screen, and that's all I care about. 

Not that I wouldn't mind having another new and exciting project announced in the next few months. As long as the get made! Positive reception and/or solid box office for her upcoming projects can only help in making things actually happen. I'm looking forward to the next year. 

"The Devil Wears Prada" sequel to begin filming in July

This isn't shocking news, as since it was revealed that The Devil Wears Prada sequel will be released on May 1 of next year, we've all known that filming likely has to take place rather soon. We now have reluctant confirmation from Emily Blunt (who of course plays the eponymous character Emily in the original) that filming will begin next month (see 1:01):

It's obvious that producers don't want to reveal much. Very little in fact has been shared about the storyline, other than that Blunt's character may be sort of bigwig executive whose advertising dollar Miranda needs to keep Runway afloat in the increasingly digitally-dominated world of media. 

I look forward to maybe seeing some set picks within a few weeks?!

Judy Craymer insists "Mamma Mia!" threequel will happen, Sabrina Carpenter eyed for role

Deadline is reporting that producer Judy Craymer is confident that a third Mamma Mia! film will come to fruition. In the interview, Craymer, the force behind the stage musical and its subsequent two films, mentioned that Sabrina Carpenter would portray a "goddess or some relation who would look very much like Meryl Streep." I'm not exactly sure what that means, but it makes me think that Carpenter would be playing a younger version of Meryl or her granddaughter perhaps? I can actually see the resemblance in the photo below. 

Craymer flat out confirmed that Meryl would be in the third film, "nodding affirmatively" when asked, and adding "Yeah, she (Meryl) said our after-shooting dinners were legendary. There is a script, but I'm not going there." Craymer also suggested the possibility of a Mamma Mia! television series in the future. 

I could of course take it or leave it if Meryl involved herself in this project. But I do like the idea of her being involved in another film that does well at the box office, especially if she has more than a cameo like she did in the sequel. That, combined with the Devil Wears Prada sequel could be a nice boon to her career, which only helps in green-lighting future projects in which Meryl might wish to participate. 

Keep 'em comin', Meryl!

"The Devil Wears Prada" sequel set for May 1, 2026 release

Looks like it's actually going to happen, people. Sources are reporting that Disney has set an official release date of May 1, 2026 for The Devil Wears Prada 2. I can only imagine that filming will therefore have to take place sometime starting this summer or early fall at the latest. 

Hurray! While I'm not necessarily a big fan of Meryl going sequels, her output has been pretty quiet the last few years, and this project has the potential to really get things going for her again. It also makes sense that they're releasing it in 2026, as that will be a tidy twenty years since the original. That might help a little with the marketing campaign for the film. I really hope the script is solid, because if this becomes a box office hit, just like after the original, Meryl could be besieged with offers for new projects. I recognize that the landscape is a little different for a 75 year-old than for a 55 year-old, but I also know that many of the best scripts/projects these days for actors are on television compared to film, which was not the case in 2006. 

I'm looking forward to getting more details on the official casting announcements and shooting schedule. And what will Miranda look like this time around? As an aside, I also wonder if The Devil Wears Prada 2 is the official movie title. I'd kind of prefer something a little more interesting like The Devil (Still) Wears Prada (or something like that but better). Not a huge deal, it just screams so tent-pole pic vs something that might actually have some weight to it from a character perspective. either way, just glad that Meryl's getting out there for something big again. 

Carey Mulligan joins "Narnia" movie

Multiple sources are reporting today that Carey Mulligan has joined Greta Gerwig's Chronicles of Narnia pic for Netflix. Mulligan is apparently set to portray one of the two children's ill mother. So, likely a rather supporting role. 

Not that I care a whole lot about Meryl's voice work (as I've mentioned ad nauseam), but if she's going to be involved in projects, it's nice to see that the team involved includes very well-respected individuals. Mulligan is a favorite of mine. Too bad all we'll have is Meryl's voice. 

Streep returns for season 5 of "Only Murders in the Building"

While I wasn't expecting that Meryl would not be part of the upcoming fifth season of Only Murders in the Building, we hadn't really had any confirmation of her participation until today. She was spotted with her on-screen husband/real-life boyfriend Martin Short on the sidewalk while filming a scene for the show. 

It's not news to anyone who reads this blog that I'm kind of ambivalent about Meryl's ongoing participation in this show. Yes, it's great if she's happy and having a good time blah blah blah. I'm just happy she's working, which shows she hasn't planned to simply fade away. 

For additional photos, click here. If previous seasons are any indication, we can expect new episodes sometime late summer.  
 

Emma Mackey cast as White Witch in Gerwig's "Narnia"

I gotta be honest, guys. I don't care all that much about Meryl being involved in Greta Gerwig's upcoming Chronicles of Narnia movie(s) for Netflix. Meryl's voice work is wonderful, but it's not all that exciting to me. Alas, it appears to be the only 'close-to' confirmation of anything she's apparently attached to doing, so I figured I should comment on bigger updates for the production. And it at least shows that she's still interested in still working, to some degree. 

With that in mind, multiple sources are reporting that Emma Mackey (Sex Education, Emily, Barbie) is rumored to have landed the role as the White Witch. Margaret Qualley was mentioned as vying for the role as well. From the article:

White Witch, whose name is Jadis, is the primary antagonist of not just Magician’s Nephew but also the best known of all the Narnia books, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. She is the one who plunged Narnia into an endless winter (where it never ever gets to Christmas) and turns her enemies into statues.

Narnia is expected to have a two-week release in Imax theaters late 2026.