Looks like no Almodóvar movie for Streep

Variety announced yesterday that Julianne Moore has officially been cast alongside Tilda Swinton in Pedro Almodóvar's upcoming English-language feature film debut, The Room Next Door. It's reportedly about a relationship between a mother and a daughter (Swinton the mother) and Moore as Swinton's friend. I suspect that had Meryl also been attached, they would've announced her as well. 

One thing that I'm still confused about is that previous reports suggested that the movie would star three veteran actresses who play friends. Maybe the "three" was not necessarily a trio of friends, but that the daughter is one of the group. So I guess it leaves open a shred of possibility that Meryl could be in it, but it seems very unlikely to me. John Turturro was also announced as attached to star in the film. No word on what his role may be. 

Still waiting on some project news from Meryl. 

Streep eyed for cameo in "Abbott Elementary"

Well apparently Only Murders in the Building isn't the only Hulu show looking to snag some screen time out of Meryl. Sheryl Lee Ralph has been quoted that she's heard there's a possibility of a cameo from Streep in Ralph's hit mocuseries, Abbott Elementary. Ralph was indicating that she hoped that Denzel Washington could make an appearance on the show, and she happened to mention that Meryl's name has apparently already been floating around, even going as far as suggesting Meryl could play her stepsister. 

I wouldn't mind seeing Meryl join this cast for a small role, especially since we might be getting some good news regarding other projects soon. Abbott Elementary has been critically acclaimed, with multiple Emmy nominations in both its first two seasons, including Quinta Brunson winning last night for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. 

Streep wins Critics Choice Award

While not in attendance, Streep was awarded the Critics Choice Award last night for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. The role of course was for portraying Loretta Durkin in Hulu's third season of Only Murders in the Building. Congratulations, Meryl! The win comes just a couple of days after speculation online that she will return for season four. 

I think it will be shocking at this point if she isn't among the nominees for the Emmys when nominations are announced, likely this summer. Love to see her back on the awards circuit. Here's hoping it continues in the near future in some new and exciting projects!

Streep returning for season four of "Only Murders in the Building"?

I debated for a hot second about whether or not to post about this, but Roger Friedman at Showbiz411 has posted that he has confirmed Meryl's participation in season four of Only Murders in the Building. I'm not familiar with the site, and it seemed kind of gossipy and poorly written. But I'm sure I've speculated on Meryl's future projects with far less concrete news that this in the past! 

Meryl was on hand for the American Film Institute Awards luncheon (looking absolutely stunning in a lavender suit btw). Friedman apparently confirmed the full cast's participation in the upcoming fourth season. More interesting is that at the end of the article, Friedman writes that Meryl told him after the lunch that she's "getting back into film with several projects cooking." If that turns out to be true, it would be like sweet nectar to my starving lips. Despite the acclaim Meryl's getting from her role in Murders, it's no secret that I'd prefer to see her in something new. I'm fine with her being in the upcoming season if in addition to that we get some film projects! Even better if she lands a lead role. 

Fingers crossed that the film news pans out. Regardless, it's wonderful to see Meryl out and about on some red carpets! I'm guessing she'll be at the SAG Awards on February 24 to join the Murders cast for their ensemble nomination. 

I'm sensing a Streep resurgence bubbling under the surface. 

Streep at AFI Awards luncheon

Cast of "Only Murders in the Building" nominated for SAG award

The Screen Actors Guild Award nominations were announced this morning. The lone nomination for Only Murders in the Building was for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series...which includes Meryl, of course. There is no SAG category for supporting roles in television. 

I'm a little surprised that either Martin Short or Steve Martin didn't get nominated. But they're in their third season at this point, and The Bear, for example, is a very popular new(er) show, and Ted Lasso had its final season. Regardless, it might mean we get to see Meryl as part of the ensemble at the show when winners are announced on February 24. It's fun having Meryl be a part of awards season again

The full list of nominees can be seen here. 

No Globe for Meryl

Meryl didn't end up winning the Golden Globe last night for her performance in Only Murders in the Building. I wasn't super surprised by Elizabeth Debicki's win. Her performance in The Crown was amazing and her award was well-deserved. 

Most of the enjoyment was simply the fact that Meryl attended the event. She did the red carpet and looked incredible in Valentino. I'm only bummed that she was forced to take part in that trainwreck of an opening monologue. I had to mute the TV every time he was on stage, sadly. 

Streep makes surprise appearance at Palm Springs Film Awards

Meryl was on hand last night at the Palm Springs Film Awards to present Carey Mulligan with the International Star Award. 

It seems so infrequent that we see Meryl out and about these days that finding out she made this appearance was like a breath of fresh air. She looks so good. 

I realize the Golden Gloves don't quite have the prestige they used to, but being that they're back on broadcast television this year and that Meryl actually stands a chance at a win for her performance in Only Murders in the Building, I really hope that we also see her Sunday night. Seems natural considering she's already near L.A. 

I still feel like Elizabeth Debicki and J. Smith Cameron are strong contenders in Meryl's category Sunday. But it's nice to even be thinking that Meryl's name might be called. 

The Golden Globes air on CBS Sunday, January 7 at 7:00 P.M. CST.

Mulligan and Streep

What can we expect in 2024?

Happy New Year!

It's hard for me to believe that it's been three weeks since I've posted. Some may have noticed that in recent months I haven't posted quite as frequently as I have in the past. Since the start of this blog, I have given myself a little rule of never going longer than a week without posting. I kept that streak going until this summer. After completing the supporting recasting project this spring, I didn't have a lot of creative things I necessarily wanted to add for the time being. That, coupled with the fact that there has been so little Meryl news this past year, I decided to be a little more organic about what I chose to post about. Not that I'll never do another sort of "what if" project, but it's a fair amount of work and I needed a little break from it. 

Now it's time to look forward to a new year. I'm going to be optimistic and consider 2024 an exciting twelve months of opportunity for Meryl. Yes, we have no confirmation of any upcoming projects, but that certainly doesn't mean something couldn't be brewing. They of course want her back for a second season of Only Murders in the Building (snooze), and we're still waiting to get casting news for two additional actresses for Pedro Almodóvar's upcoming English-language debut, The Room Next Door, which is reportedly set to begin filming as early as March (Tilda Swinton is already confirmed). There's also been some buzz about a possible third season of HBO's Big Little Lies (pass). 

I just have to imagine that even if Meryl doesn't film anything this year that we'll at least get news of something being green-lit for her to star. I of course am partial to a lead film role with a great director attached, but would probably be just as happy in a limited series. It's probably got to feel like somewhat of a new beginning for Meryl as well. Although she and her husband, Don, have been separated for several years now, it's only been very recent that the entire world audience is aware of it. I think she'd be shown a lot of good will for anything she involved with, especially considering how well-received her performance in Murders was and her reasonable chances for some awards (Globes are Sunday, SAG noms are on the 10th, and Critics Choice Awards are on the 14th), and the fact that she has been seen in so little in past two years. 

Thinking good thoughts as we ring in the new year!