Monday, May 14, 2018

Streep in talks for Soderbergh film "The Laundromat"

I have to admit that when I saw the title of the article of Meryl starring in a "Panama Papers" thriller by a director named Steven S., I had to do a bit of a double take.  No, it's not a sequel to her recent Pentagon Papers film The Post that was directed by Steven Spielberg. Instead, it's been announced that Streep is set to star in director Steven Soderbergh's new project entitled The Laundromat, based on the so-called Panama Papers, which were "leaked documents that showed how Mossack Fonseca, a Panamanian law firm, allowed the wealthy and the connected to funnel money illegally in and around the world." The script was written by Scott Z Burns is based on Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Bernstein's book Secrecy World: Inside the Panama Papers Investigation of Illicit Money Networks and the Global Elite. Antonio Banderas and Gary Oldman are also in talks to join.

Very little has been revealed about Meryl's role at this point, other than that her character is apparently the "emotional throughline" of the movie. In reading a few tidbits about the book, it totally seems like an interesting topic, and I'll probably pick up a copy. I wasn't able to glean any idea, however, of what Meryl's character would be (maybe the whistleblower?) Of course I want to know if it'll be a lead role/supporting role.  I also have no idea on why it's called The Laundromat.  Maybe what they call the network for funneling funds illegally. More to come on all that, I'm sure.

No word yet either on when filming may get underway, but it looks like Netflix is interested in distribution rights. It's nice to see her announced to be working with another great director!

Gary Oldman, Antonio Banderas and Steven Soderbergh



10 comments:

  1. I want to see Meryl play a villain again!

    - Jack

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  2. On IMDb it says filming will be in the fall, as I already mentioned on AW. Double the Meryl nominations in 2020, I can’t wait.

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    1. I was just coming here to add that! I hadn't realized this project had been announced as early as 2016. Double noms for Globes or SAGS, perhaps.

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  3. Hopefully there will a few good actresses cast alongside Meryl in what looks like a male-dominated film. David.

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  4. Could this be who Streep plays?:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daphne_Caruana_Galizia

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    1. Thanks Jeff. Looks like it is. Another accent for Meryl to have fun with! David

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    2. I think she may play a fictionalized version of this - the articles said "fact based" not "biographical" - sometimes an important distinction! Another hiccup for The Nix series I sadly believe - Faye would be such a rich character. Thrilled to see Meryl possibly in business with Netflix at last - maybe she'll bring The Nix with her. I expect a few more announcements before this year is through!

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    3. Looking at more photos/interviews of Galizia, however, she looks like she's...not white? Good lord if it's possible this is a whitewash Meryl needs to run for the hills.

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    4. Also about The Nix...if it's still happening, could that it was delayed due to J.J. Abrams being snatched to direct the latest Star Wars movie. But I agree, seems less and less likely the further out it gets.

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  5. She is maltese but doesn't look white. In fairness though she does look a lot like Meryl around the chin.

    Maybe this isn't the character though? I don't see the problem if Catherine Zeta Jones can play a latina and Angelina Jolie can play Mariane Pearl who was of Afro-Chinese Cuban- descent.

    Unfortunately Meryl is so disliked by certain factions nowadays they would jump at the chance to lambast her.

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