Wednesday, November 12, 2014

"Florence Foster Jenkins" acquires international distributors

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Stephen Frears' new biopic Florence Foster Jenkins (changed from simply Florence) has picked up multiple distributors worldwide. Pathé will distribute for the U.K., while several U.S distributors have evidently shown interest as well.  Principle photography is set to begin in May, 2015.  Obviously I will no longer consider this a "rumored" project.

With Meryl finishing up Ricki and the Flash over the next month, she's likely going to transition relatively quickly into the role of Maria Callas for HBO's Master Class early in 2015.  It begs the question that if Florence Foster Jenkins begins filming in May and possibly wraps by late June or early July, would they try to get it released by the end of 2015?  No doubt on paper it will be an awards vehicle for Meryl, as were other Frears films like The Queen and Philomena for both Helen Mirren and Judi Dench, respectively.

If we assume they have it ready by December 2015, Meryl will have both Ricki and Florence as contenders for the calendar year. Couple that with the likelihood of Master Class being shown by year's end (an enticing prospect of having Meryl portraying roles of both the most famous and infamous opera singers inside of a month) and we have a plethora of projects to look forward to over the next 13 months.  I can't imagine Streep not in consideration for at least Globe nominations in all three!  I'm still assuming Suffragette will be little more than a cameo.

Knowing Florence will start in May, this seems to leave next fall open for filming.  Will we finally see The Good House or even possibly The Senators' Wife (a film that if it were to happen I believe would be best marketed in 2016) come to fruition?  As I've said countless times before, time will tell.  I want both to happen!  Keep that working cap on, Mary Louise.

8 comments:

  1. Which Meryl projects look best suited for
    an Oscar win - at least on paper?

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    1. I was of the opinion Ricki and the flash could be Oscar-nomination worthy at least if this was one of the 2 scrips Meryl spoke of being "two of the best she ever read". Also given the calibre of talent involved and the fact it isn't something Meryl has done really before (playing a rocker in a dramedy with lots of music/guitar etc).

      Of course, with Florence you have such a winning director as well. I would say it depends on what direction they take this film - comedy - dramedy. There is no word yet on when it would be released. If December like Jeff suggested then that would be more in Oscar's eye.
      I'm just happy Meryl continue to work with some of the best people on exciting and big projects!

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    2. On paper of course Florence is typical Oscar bait. How can Ricki not be though, too? But Ricky seems like it might be more Devil Wears Prada (I know, she was nommed for that) and Florence a slightly lighter version of Philomena. I'd be surprised if Florence were ultimately released next year though.

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  2. I am going to venture that she will be nominated for Into the Woods, but might land in Lead. If she ends up in supporting, she might win. I've heard she is amazing in the film. With regard to The Senator's Wife, bury that. I think it was a hypothetical statement made by Weinstein. I wish they would change the name of Florence Jenkins Foster to the name of the play about her GLORIOUS or SOUVENIR. I assume, Ricki will be 2015 release and Florence 2016. She needs a film for 2020, that way she covers 6 decades like Hepburn.

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    1. Erm, I don't imagine she'll have a problem finding films for the rest of her days? haha

      Ricki already has a release date for June 2015.

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    2. Disney has Meryl listed on the film's website in FYC ads that she's going supporting. It's a done deal on that category. Ricki has a release date already of 6/26/15.

      Although I'm inclined to agree with you about The Senator's Wife not likely happening, I don't believe it was simply a hypothetical statement from Weinstein. If there's a title for it, I think it's possible there's a script. He wouldn't just throw Meryl's name out there randomly, so they had obviously discussed it. Harvey also described the project on both the Howard Stern and Pierz Morgan shows. That said, I'm not holding my breath waiting for it to happen.

      I AM holding breath and crossing my fingers for The Good House.

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    3. Jeff have you seen any of the possible Best Supporting Actress performances yet?

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    4. I've seen Jessica Chastain in Interstellar. She was great as usual, but it's definitely a situation to see who she's up against. I would have no problem being nominated for her performance.

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