Rian Johnson wants Streep in a future "Knives Out" movie

Director Rian Johnson was interviewed by IndieWire recently for the release of the third installment of his Knives Out series, Wake Up Dead Man. In it, he's asked whom he would like to secure if he were to make another. He shared, "There are so many great actors I’d like to work with. But, yes, if you’re reading this, Meryl Streep, I feel like you’d slot into a murder mystery very well."

The film series has been critically and commercially very successful. I've enjoyed both of the first two installments, the second being 2022's Glass Onion. I'm generally not a big fan of slotting Meryl into a franchise-like series of films, the way she was mentioned by a producer in recent years for a potential Marvel movie. I imagine the script would have to appeal to her, and/or an interesting character would have to be involved. It would not be a lead role, as that is firmly slotted for Daniel Craig in this series. 

Johnson mentioned that he's working on something completely separate from the Knives Out movies, which he described as "...a paranoid thriller. A ‘70s paranoid thriller, sort of. With a sci-fi twinge." I had thought at first that maybe he was interested in casting Meryl in this original story, but when he described Meryl as "slotting into a murder mystery very well," it seemed clear he thought about her for a Knives Out film, were another were to be made. That's not super interesting to me, but it would probably be a great box-office hit. 

director Rian Johnson

Teaser released for "The Devil Wears Prada 2"

A teaser trailer was released today for The Devil Wears Prada 2:

Not a lot to it, other than footage of Meryl's shoes to the opening of Madonna's "Vogue" in the background, which leans heavily on nostalgia as it featured in the first movie. 

I honestly thought the "took you look enough" was kind of corny. It almost seemed like this was just a spot for TV and not actual footage from the film. Is it? Maybe I'm dumb and it's supposed to be but it just seemed too put on. I imagine we'll have to have some of that in order to pay homage and give fans what they want is certain throwbacks from the original. No doubt Meryl and Anne looked amazing regardless. Excited for the full trailer. 

Sounds like this will be playing before showings of Wicked when it comes out next weekend. That'll get a lot of eyeballs on this teaser. Hard to imagine Prada 2 isn't going to open to absolutely massive numbers. Get that bank, Meryl. And with it, get offers for more projects!

The film opens in theaters May 1. 

Streep and Weaver confirmed for Joseph Cedar's "Useful Idiots"

Multiple prominent sources are now confirming that Meryl Streep and Sigourney Weaver will star in director Joseph Cedar's upcoming thriller, Useful Idiots. I may have to start easing up on my skepticism of World of Reel's scoops, although in the article it's stated that Cedar co-penned the script with 60 Minutes producer Shachar Bar-On. No mention anywhere of this having been written by Callie Khouri, so not sure if this is a completely different project. 

Weaver had recently confirmed her participation in this a couple weeks ago, but now we have very specific details on who's producing, and more importantly, what the plot details are:

The pic follows Diane Castle (Streep), a veteran journalist who covers the New York luxury property market. She’s disillusioned with writing puff pieces about the wealthy elite and regretful that she might not have lived up to her potential. When a record-breaking sale of a new penthouse hits her desk, Diane’s questions about the buyer’s identity lead to what could be the story of a lifetime. At its center is a mysterious oligarch whose influence stretches across Manhattan and beyond – protected by a network of fixers, enablers and a brilliant young strategist. Out of her depth, Diane digs deeper into the investigation, her determination to uncover the truth revealing a web of corruption and danger at the highest levels, ensnaring Diane, her family and all those around her.

Sounds juicy! A timely story that sounds smart, sophisticated, and yet seems to also deal with the main character's interpersonal relationships, which should allow Meryl to dissect the character more deeply. I'm also very interested to learn who will be cast as the oligarch and the "brilliant young strategist."

Interesting that none of the articles mention a likely date for filming to start. But Sigourney Weaver had confirmed in an interview that it was filming in "early 2026." The original news from World of Reel suggested a January start. If that's the case, I imagine a late 2026 release date would be feasible.