Poll #3: Which film would you remove from Meryl's filmography?

If any of you have read my reimagined filmography of Meryl's career, you know I've spent way too much a lot of time pondering which movies of hers I'd replace or simply remove, given the chance.  As it's been a few weeks since I've posted a poll and a few readers have had the same suggestion on what the next one should be, off to the side you'll see the latest question.  Feel free to add your explanations for your choices in the comments section as usual.  I'm going to leave voting open for two weeks this time.

First look at Meryl in "The Papers"

Some lucky woman who was apparently late for work snapped a selfie on an elevator with Meryl (on her birthday no less) and Tom Hanks while the two were in costume on the set of The Papers. 

It looks like Meryl is wearing her own glasses, but that hair and dress are extremely 1970s.  She of course will be portraying publisher Kay Graham, while Tom Hanks plays editor Ben Bradlee.  Despite this being a non-official still, it's nice to get a glimpse of their looks.  

Thanks to Sean L for alerting me to the pic!

Happy 68th, Meryl!

Our girl turns 68 today.  Not much to say other than just acknowledging this milestone.  She's probably busily shooting scenes this week for The Papers, but hopefully she gets a chance to put her feet up and enjoy a nice glass of wine at some point.  Cheers to you on your birthday and best wishes for many more to come.

What's the status of "The Nix"?

I came across a couple of videos on You Tube today that feature author Nathan Hill on tour discussing his novel The Nix.  As we know, it was announced last September that Meryl had signed on to portray one of the main characters, Faye.  Not long after that we learned that John Logan would be the showrunner and that Meryl was going to make bank for each episode.  Other than that, not much has been updated since.

So, my ears perked up a bit when Hill briefly discussed the potential limited series in two separate videos at events that both took place last month.  Go to 51:23 in the first and 48:55 in the second.

    


    

We don't really learn a ton of new stuff, but since both of these events took place in May, it's good to know that he recently met with producers about the adaptation.  He confirmed John Logan as the screenwriter, stated J.J. Abrams would be directing and that it would probably be a single season of about 10 episodes.  They're just waiting to see which network is interested in picking it up.  This seems HBO-ish to me, but could see it going to Netflix or Amazon too.  I don't really care, as long as it gets made.

Despite The Papers probably wrapping by early August, Meryl won't have a ton of time before heading to Croatia to film Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!  The Nix is a fairly sprawling tale which could potentially take a while time to shoot.  That said, Meryl's role of Faye would not require she be in every episode, or at least not a lot of every episode.  It might make sense for them to shoot this next spring and have it out by fall of next year to precede the midterm elections in the U.S.  Looking forward to the possibility of seeing this story come to life.

"Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" set to film in Croatia this fal

An online Croatian magazine has reported that filming for the Mamma Mia! sequel is planned to begin on the island of Vis this fall.  Set near Croatia's Dalmation coast, the island will serve as a substitute for the Greek island of Kalokairi.

My big question is what does "fall" or "later this year" mean?  Also, we still don't know exactly how big Meryl's part is going to be in this pic.  An autumn filming schedule could mean different things for other potential projects if Meryl were lead vs supporting.  By most accounts, it sounds like she does not have the same size role as the original, which would likely result in a shorter shooting schedule for her in Croatia.

I wonder if we're ever going to hear about a network that officially picks up The Nix.  If that were to get pulled together, I imagine that they'd like to get it going to allow for a release prior to May 31 next year, which would make it eligible for the Emmys.  Similarly to The Papers, The Nix is very topical considering the current U.S. president and overall political climate.  In fact, I think it even more so captures the zeitgeist than does The Papers, so getting it out sooner than later seems like it would maximize interest and therefore viewers.

Stay tuned.

Not a bad spot to film a movie. 

Results of poll #2

It's been almost two weeks since the second poll closed.  I have to admit, I was a bit surprised that Evita came in first with a total of  14 votes (40%).  In second place with nine votes was Thelma & Louise, which of course was the film I voted for.  As I had commented in my original Shoulda Coulda Woulda for that film, it's probably the mother of all missed opportunities for me as a Meryl fan.  Of course there is no way of knowing if the film would've been as good or successful with different leading ladies, but that doesn't stop me from wondering.  Especially since it came during Merl's "wilderness years" in regard to quality pictures.

Glad to see that Julieta didn't finish last.  Wasn't sure if people would be aware of how that film never came to fruition with Meryl.

What do people want for next poll?

Behind the scenes look at "Mary Poppins Returns"

Entertainment Weekly is running a cover story on Mary Poppins Returns.  In it, they apparently give us some behind the scenes info on the making of the film.  There's a link to a few new production stills as well.  Although we don't get a glimpse of Meryl in character as Topsy, we do get a shot of her at the piano with Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda:

After watching the below video, I'm actually kind of getting excited to see this film.  I'm a great fan of the original and the sequel's production value looks exquisite.  Only a year and a half to wait! 

                                     

"The Post" gets new title, cast members

Several sources are reporting today that the 'Untitled Steven Spielberg Project,' formerly known as The Post, has been retitled The Papers.  This most likely refers to the Pentagon Papers, but I wonder if it might also include the fact that the publishing of the Pentagon Papers was a duel effort that actually began with The New York Times, not the Washington Post.  Regardless, the new title is more fitting.

In addition to the new title, at least twelve new cast members were revealed today.  IMDb has already added the names, and it's quite impressive.  Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story, The People v. O.J. Simpson)  Michael Stuhlbarg (from TV's Fargo and the upcoming Call Me By Your Name which I cannot wait for), Matthew Rhys (whom I absolutely adore from The Americans) and Tracy Letts (who of course wrote August: Osage County), among others.   Unfortunately, the characters each is playing is not yet listed, but I'm sure we could speculate to high heaven as to who is playing whom.  I'm particularly interested in which actress of either Carrie Coon or Alison Brie will play Meryl's daughter, Lally.  By the looks of her, I'm guessing Brie.  I imagine Sarah Paulson will portray Tom Hanks's wife, Tony Bradlee.

Regardless of who ends up where, this is a splendid cast.  It's almost impossible to not imagine or expect a SAG ensemble win for this group, particularly since there are so many speaking parts and characters intertwined.  All anchored by our girl, of course.  I couldn't be more please with this news.

Filming wraps on "Mary Poppins Returns"

Filming is evidently complete on Mary Poppins Returns.  I was pretty sure they were close based on some of the tweets I had read from Lin-Manuel Miranda.  But this recent one confirms they have officially wrapped:

We had our wrap party Saturday night. Here's the great David Warner, aka Admiral Boom pic.twitter.com/JnWlWFtumA

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 5, 2017

IMDbPro lists that filming began in February of this year.  Not that five or six months wouldn't be a long shoot, but I seem to remember that some scenes were shot as early as last fall.  Unfortunately I've seen no glimpse of Meryl on set or in costume.  My guess is that we'll have to wait for some production stills or a teaser.  Considering the film won't be released for another 18 months, those glimpses might be a while.  Director Rob Marshall should have plenty of time for post-production.

Filming begins on "The Post"

IMDb has switched the "Untitled Steven Spielberg Project" to the 'filming' section of Meryl's filmography.  It's listed as having started May 31 (yesterday), which aligns with original reports that shooting would be underway by May.

I'm still rather surprised that we have no information on other cast members at this point, but we know that info will be revealed eventually, and probably soon.  And for those of you skeptics out there who still think that the film won't be ready in time for a 2017 release, we know that there are multiple films that have had even later start dates that not only made it in time, but were also good film.  See Munich.  

In other news, several sources are reporting that Amanda Seyfried has joined the cast of Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!  I didn't necessarily feel this needed its own post so I figured I'd just tag it along with this one.  Details on the shooting schedule of that film should be forthcoming.