Thursday, July 28, 2016

Streep in talks for "Mary Poppins Returns"

Well, it may not be the project many had in mind, but multiple sources are reporting this evening that Meryl is attached to star in Rob Marshall's Mary Poppins Returns for Disney.   Streep's character would be 'Topsy,' cousin to Poppins, who is to be portrayed by the great Emily Blunt.   Obviously Marshall was pleased with the work of both actresses on Into the Woods.  

I'm not sure how I feel about this.  It's not particularly surprising that Meryl is choosing to re-team with Marshall.  We know that he wanted to work with her again, possibley on Follies.  The role of Topsy is apparently a supporting one, so I wonder if this is more of a cameo situation.  IMDbPro has had it listed as in "pre-production" since February, and a release date has already been slated by Disney as Christmas Day, 2018.  Does this mean that filming won't start until 2017?  I'm guessing that it may start later this year with be a ton of special effects which require an extended period of time in post.

With what seems to be a fairly minor role that may not take up much time for Meryl, I doubt it will prevent her from possibly participating in a leading role in a film, should one get greenlit.  Regarldess, I'm glad we have some info on a new project, albeit another seemingly light, musically-themed film.  I'm anxious for some meaty stuff from Meryl agin.  All good things to those who wait...right?

18 comments:

  1. Yeah, not the project we are expecting, but better than nothing. And i love Blunt, but could they please add Tucci too <3.
    AND: We really need The Good House, :(. With David O. Russel as director. Please rush everybody.

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    1. You took the words right out of my mouth! Meryl's involvement in this may be very brief in regard to actual filming time. I picture something more like The Giver or The Homesman. Yes she needs to do The Good House. David O. Russell would be great, and although he usually writes his own scripts that he directs, he doesn't exclusively. Regardless it's nice to have something to discuss.

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  2. I am happy with any project announcement that keeps Meryl working!- Jamie

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  3. Yes, i think a combo of this project + Good House would be perfect for 2018. BA and BSA on the same year :p
    And for 2019, my dream is a thriller, something more darker, a de palma/Fincher/Scorsese collaboration.
    Congrats for the blog.
    Leandro
    São Paulo/Brazil

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    1. Welcome Leandro! I sincerely doubt she would get a nomination for this role unless it calls for her to be a man singing several showstoppers and saving the children from a deranged Mary Popping with.a massive monologue at the end about the perils of sugar!

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    2. Welcome, Leandro! Right there with you about something more intense. Mary Poppins begins filming later this year and like I said, I don't think it will take up much of Meryl's time. Then it doesn't come out for two more years. I sure hope she has something more leading before then. At the very least this shows that Meryl's "break" will be over.

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  4. Can't wait for LWP's view on this..

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  5. Strange question: Does anyone have a comment/thought on whether or not you think Meryl would've signed on to Mary Poppins Returns had she been able to star in Saving Mr. Banks? Remember that she was in talks for Emma Thompson's role but it conflicted with August: Osage County.

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  6. @cjames. LOL. We never know.
    Leandro

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  7. @ Jeff, good question. I think she would not do. Either way Banks and August were two big missed opportunities. Good stories, fantastic cast, and weak films.
    Leandro

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  8. I'm sorry, but I'm really not thrilled about this news. It's so boring and predictable. Where are the Spike Jonze of the world with scripts for her? Where are the projects that are really challenging and left-of-center, and led to interesting films -- where are the Adaptations?? Heck even Bridges of Madison County was a SURPRISE. She says she likes working with those kinds of directors in particular (she's mentioned Jonze and Anderson by name), and yet we never see it. I don't know, it just seems like she's not focused on having FUN so much as she's focused on being a star, and is not making interesting films, when we know she has the connections and desire to do a bunch of really cool, interesting, indie films. As a lifelong Meryl stan, I'm honestly starting to get a little bored.

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  9. I'm not thrilled with this announcement. The same cut-and-tried performance. Although I'm thankful she came out of her 'break from work', I wish she could have picked a more interesting role or movie for that matter. I share the same sentiment with the above member - I'm getting bored too as a lifelong fan. The likes of Good House would have been a much challenging and engaging role. Oh well, we're not Meryl and we can never understand what's going through her head or what her priorities are. But still, very disappointed. David.

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  10. I, for one, believe that she is choosing roles that she will enjoy making and after her illustrious career thus far, that is a privilege I believe she is owed. I do recall during the promotion of August she discussed openly her mixed feelings to taking on characters or projects with subject matter in which there is a certain amount of toxicity, Violet Weston a prime example. That said, I would be very interested to see her take on a role in a film such as the Murder on the Orient Express remake directed by Kenneth Branagh and co-starring Angelina Jolie. Wishful thinking also makes me pine for a Mamma Mia 2 or her starring opposite Melissa McCarthy in a genuine comedy. New to this blog, loving it so far!

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  11. I agree with a lot of the last three comments. I wish we had confirmation of what Meryl's next lead role will be. This most recent news falls in line with what she said about how going into tough places to play bleak characters is harder to do as one ages. She's obviously really enjoying fun roles. But really only Florence and Ricki are lighter roles of late. I think the Witch in Into the Woods was a dark,complex character. Violet Weston was a rough character and even Hope Springs wasn't probably a cinch considering the character of Kay was a dissatisfied, unhappy woman in a seemingly dead-end marriage. I will continue to say that The Good House is a role that could be special.

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    1. Thanks for the response! I'm the next meaty or complex role for Meryl will be in TV. She has recently complimented the quality of the writing and expressed an interest. Possibly a guest acting gig opposite her friend Viola Davis on How to Get Away with Murder or a miniseries (Netflix and HBO seem to be snatching top notch talent like Meryl)I cant see her attaching to a long term series but I wouldn't mind a surprise if it meant more of her brilliant work!

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    2. Let's not forget that Master Class is still on her IMDb page, which was set for HBO and possibly still on the radar. If "Feud" is a success, I'm sure I'll look back and be bummed that she didn't have Jessica Lange's role of Joan Crawford, as I'm a fan of Meryl's buddy projects with her contemporary leading ladies.

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  12. The Good House had been removed from her upcoming projects on IMDB.... I feel like the project will not see the light of day- Jamie

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    1. Yup, since early July. http://www.wordonthestreep.com/2016/07/thoughts-on-master-class.html

      I'd love to know how IMDb pro decides when to remove projects? The film went into 'development unknown' from simply 'script' like it had been for over two years. It's still on the site, including on Robert De Niro's page as a producer, just no longer has actors attached. It's too bad.

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