Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Streep joins "Suffragette"

Holy shit.  If this turns out to be legit (which it seems to be), Meryl will be in four feature films released this calendar year.  Several sources are now reporting that she is in final negotiations to star alongside Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter in Suffragette.  IMDb description reads "the foot soldiers of the early feminist movement, women who were forced underground to pursue a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an increasingly brutal State."  Meryl is set to play British activist Emmeline Pankhurst, directed by Sarah Gavron with a script by Iron Lady writer Abi Morgan. 

From what I've read thus far, it seems Meryl's role will be small, but she'll deliver a powerful speech about women's rights.  For her this film seems much like that of The Giver and The Homesman, in that it may be close to a cameo performance.  Meryl may only have to spend a week or two on set.  If nothing else this role continues to demonstrate her interest in being involved in projects that depict strong, independent women and important social issues.  Now that she'll be portraying someone fighting for women's voting rights, I hope it wouldn't deter her from being involved in a film about Susan B. Anthony in a leading role should the right script come along.  Still crossing my fingers for something being ready for 2016!  Until then, I'll look forward to her big speech in Suffragette.   


16 comments:

  1. This sounds interesting but the last time Meryl had 4 films in one year was 2007.. Which was her worst year ever! I hope this has quality as well as quantity for her.

    Abi Morgan has real potential but the script for The Iron Lady was a big let-down and could have been much better. Let's hope she strikes it better this time.

    Any news on The Good House Jeff? These small roles are fine but what I most want is MERYL films! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I realize that none of the four films Meryl did in 2007 were particularly good or successful. But I like that she did them. It was around the time that she was likely personally fed up with George W Bush and both Lions for Lambs and Rendition were to some degree attempts to shed light on the current political climate, in my opinion. I imagine she agreed to do Evening because her daughter Mamie was in it, again just a very brief role for Meryl. Dark Matter is actually a bit underrated in my opinion. It was basically never released because the Virginia Tech shootings happened in such close proximity. But it was a good story and Meryl got to portray a Sinophile, which is probably the closest she'll get to portraying someone Asian.

      Not really any news on The Good House. There was some speculation in the Gold Derby blogs that David O. Russell may direct because he and Meryl were chatting for some time at a recent event, plus he's worked with Robert De Niro in his last two films. Regardless of the speculation, I would love that! I feel confident this will get made this year. It's De Niro's own production company, Tribecca along with FilmNation. With Michael Cunningham adapting the book I think it has potential to be good. I imagine a late summer/early fall filming schedule.

      Delete
  2. I do admire with her passion and I actually quite liked Rendition although Reese Witherspoon is miscast IMO. I just don't like when a (dare I say) genius like Meryl spends time on projects that will never amount to much or may even be considered mis-steps. It feels a bit like time wasted where she could have been back on Broadway or something.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The difference between Broadway and film however is that millions of people saw Meryl in Rendition, even thought it wasn't a great box office success. One doesn't have the ability to reach as many people with stage compared to cinema. Although I absolutely love when Meryl is in a picture where she's onscreen the majority of the time, part of what I like so much about her is her awareness of the world around us and the message she wants to send.

      Delete
    2. Oh I completely agree it is better for me to get the film, I am nowhere near New York! I just mean I want her to get back to theatre as I remember her saying how much she loved it before she chose to give it up to be at home steadily as a mother.

      Actually, with a lot of high profile shows here in the West End they have been broadcasting them live into cinemas around the country on certain nights. I think that is a wonderful idea and where the future lies.

      Delete
    3. Agreed about the wide broadcasts. Just like the Metropolitan Opera. It's been successful and brings new interest to individuals who would not otherwise have access.

      Delete
  3. Is that something the sequel to "The Devil Wears Prada"?! I mean the book sequel "Revenge Wears Prada" came out last June so a movie sequel should be in the works
    And this will be Meryl's first movie sequel ever!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've seen no info on a sequel to the film. I have a feeling that Meryl wouldn't be involved were a script written. It would have to be an amazing one. I don't picture her as someone doing sequels. You never know though!

      Delete
    2. I agree, I couldn't see her agreeing unless it was on-power with the original and worthwhile to bother. From what I remember the book didn't get a warm reception.

      Delete
    3. Wait what? Miranda Priestly is one of her most famous and quoted characters!! Why would she not want to do it again? And I think the book sequel is good so.... (I haven't read it though)
      Oh, have you guys seen this interview where they asked her if she would do the sequel and her response is funny, but she did say yes!
      http://www.accesshollywood.com/viola-davis-and-meryl-streep-backstage-at-the-2012-crystal-lucy-awards_video_1406050

      Delete
    4. Yes I saw that a while ago, I don't think it's very much on her radar but you never know. It's unlikely the sequel would be as massive as the original for several reasons. I am just waiting for Good House confirmations honestly!

      Delete
    5. Agreed. Unless Meryl would agree to be in the sequel beforehand, I doubt a script will even be written.

      I'd be surprised if The Good House didn't happen. But yeah, I'd like a little more news on it as well, particularly who's going to direct.

      Delete
    6. Oh, yeah, what happened to that? Its a perfect project- between DeNiro and romance and the story it would be such a classic Meryl movie- It seems similar to Hope Springs in a way.....

      Delete
    7. Actually, it would be like a combination of August: Osage County and Hope Springs

      Delete
    8. From what Jeff has said the plot shares similar tones to Notes On A Scandal which is a film I love. Great to see Meryl in something darker again..

      Delete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete