Though Meryl Streep has signed on to star opposite Julia Roberts in the film adaptation of August: Osage County, the actress will first have to become head of state before she tackles August‘s drug-addicted matriarch. The Academy Award-winning Streep will next film The Iron Lady, the biopic centered on British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. (The film will focus on the days leading up to the Falklands War in the 1980s.) Streep had been rumored to play the role for some time — she’s now set to star opposite Jim Broadbent, who will portray her husband Denis Thatcher.
Streep will partner with her Mamma Mia! director Phyllida Lloyd for the drama, with BBC Films and Pathe International on board to produce. That a British production would cast the American actress as their fabled prime minister certainly speaks to Streep’s acting prowess. And it already has some British citizens up in arms. British bloggers are saying Thatcher’s own children are upset with the casting choice. No matter — this is Streep. And like everything she’s done in the past, she will probably knock this out out of the park too.
Production on The Iron Lady is scheduled to begin by year’s end.
Read more:
Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts in the film version of ‘August: Osage County.’ BIGGEST. MOVIE. EVER.
I never understand when people are upset by casting like this. So she’s American and the role is British, big deal. If she’s the best person to play the part, then that’s all that matters. So should I, an American, be up in arms anytime Kate Winslet is cast in an American movie as an American woman? No, because Kate Winslet is a fantastic actress and she always does a role justice. As does Meryl Streep.
i agree with Dave and im english…helen mirren has already played the queen and julie walters has been mo mowlam…merly streep is the best actress in the world…i cant wait to see her as margaret thatcher
As an Australian, and regular visitor to this site, I notice loads of complaints from Americans that Australians are playing Americans. From the several on Grey’s Anatomy all the way through to Ryan Kwanten on True Blood. I guess the British have the right to complain too. But I say, get over it. They’re actors! They are paid to PRETEND to be something they’re not. As long as they can pull of the accent, there really isnt a problem is there?
Exactly! That was my whole point. I’m not denying that some Americans may complain about the same thing, I’m just trying to say that I personally never do and I do not understand the complaints.
May I remind the British that Anthony Hopkins played Richard Nixon? It’s called using an accent.
Meryl Streep is the queen of accents, she will nail the role and probably be nominated for another oscar.
I didn’t like Julie and Julia and I doubt I’ll like this movie. The last movie I enjoyed her in was Doubt.
Meryl Streep will be brilliant, as usual.
I hate fake accents. Just hire a Brit. Plenty of talented Brits out there.
Please, like Meryl can’t nail a British accent. There’s really not much point in worrying about nationalities of actors if they can get the accents right.
I think this is amasing, Meryl Streep is my favourite actress, and I am british. Why should it matter whether she is or not? If you watched Julie and Julia, then you should know, she is right for the part and will portray Thatcher very well.
the DIVINA Meryl Streep can do anything!
I don`t mind, because I´m german and her in Germany every us/british movie is in german. We have in Germany synchron speaker for foreign movies. And that`s why I don`t know Meryl`s real voice.
By the way, I think Meryl Streep will be perfect in this role.
@rebi
What? You don’t know Meryl’s real voice? German DVDs mainly have English language tone too. You should really try it.
I’m german too. And no one here was upset, when Kate Winslet played a german in “The Reader” and got an Oscar for that role.
Get over it.
@Sonja
Sie haben recht, aber ich habe eigentlich keine Lust dazu, einen ganzen Film auf englisch zu sehen. Ich habe letztes Jahr Julia Child in einem englischen sprachigen Kino gesehen. Aber bei den komischen Momenten mußte ich passen. Ich kann zwar sehr gut englisch, aber manchmal gibt es Redewendungen, die ich nicht kenne. Ich kenne auch Streeps Stimme auf englisch, aber mehr durch YouTube-Videos.
And I have to say that no one complains if an american actor plays a Nazirole or something like that! As Sonja said: Get over it!
@rebi
Nun, jedem steht es dank der DVD frei den Ton (Original oder Synchro) zu hören, den er will. Ich höre mir auch lieber die Synchro an, denn wir haben echt gute Sprecher hier.
But Meryl is known as “our Lady of Accents”, isn’t she?
She’s proven that more than once. Italian, Polish, German, Britisch, Australian…. She can do it. Period.
Amen!
@Sonja
Ich finde die ganze Diskussion, die darum gemacht wird lächerlich. Sie ist eine sehr gut Schauspielerin und dann ist es doch egal, wer die Thatcher spielt. Das wollte ich eigentlich zum Ausdruck bringen.
Außerdem geht es ja auch darum wer mehr Zuschauer einbringt und da wäre z.B. eine Helen Mirren vielleicht nicht so angebracht. Obwohl sie natürlich auch eine gute Schauspielerin ist.
Omg your seriously not joking? I’m english and I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MERYL STREEP play her!
Meryl is awesome, god! Get over it.
It will be interesting to see what her accent turns out like