MERYL STREEP To Star In MAMMA MIA! Movie??- Page 2

[jimnysf]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 2:46am

I, too, was hoping for Olivia Newton John but Streep is also a good choice. And I'm happy that it's not Tom Hank's wife.

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 3:36am

Just read about this on IMDB... Love it!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 9:28am

BRECHT ABBA

She can do anything.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 9:47am

Damn! Looks like I'll be forced to see this movie...I can't resist Meryl in anything none the less a chance to she her sing agian!

[madbrian]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 10:01am

I believe Streep also sang in Stuck On You.

I love the idea of Cher in the cast.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 10:21am

Yeppers. Meryl sang in:

DEATH BECOMES HER (danced and sang the faux Broadway production number "Me" in the opening credits)

IRONWEED

POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE (sang a large portion of "You Don't Know Me" and all of "I'm Steppin' Out")

A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION

HEARTBURN

SILKWOOD (sings "Amazing Grace" during end credits)

STUCK ON YOU

[SweMozArt]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 10:31am

Some months back someone here here wrote that starring in the Mamma Mia movie would be a career suicide if there ever was one. My thought then was that if that is true (which I don't think it has to be, but it's sort of a risky project for actor playing Donna)then the actors who would be interested in starring in this movie would be either those without a career to lose or someone with most of her career behind her, with an untarnishable reputation and with no future career plans as a "young" pop star.. Obviously the producers said yes to someone from the second category. One disadvantage is that Streep is a tad to old for the role of Donna.

Im not sure if Madonna was offered the role first and said no. Regardless she doesn't fall in the second category since she probably is striving for another decade as pop princess and then this project would be to risky for her image. Of course it could be that the producers didn't see Madonna handling the comedic acting part of the role of Donna and therefore chose Streep.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 10:35am

Her Ironweed singing performance was fantastic.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 10:40am

Streep's song in Ironweed is beautiful, though absolutely heartbreaking. I love that little underrated film.

If this news is true, I am very excited. It would be nice to see that even though Mamma Mia may not be good enough for the Society of Theatre Elitists Guild, Streep would think enough of the show to consider doing it. Perhaps she sees nothing wrong in something designed strictly for entertainment either.

YAY!!

[HouGuy77002]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 10:43am

Let the speculation begin...who will be cast in the other roles?

Sophie: Anne Hathaway, Lindsay Lohann, Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff

Tanya: Michelle Pheipher (sp?), Cher, Megan Mullaly, Vanessa Williams, Whitney Houston (JK)

Rosie: Megan Mullaly, Loretta Divine

Harry, Bill, and Sam: John Travolta, Richard Grier, Kevin Klein, Kevin Spacey
Updated On: 1/11/07 at 10:43 AM

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 10:47am

Would be shocked if Rita Wilson plays Tanya, actually...

I actually love the idea of Meryl in this role. I think at this point in her career she can pretty much do whatever she wants. Everyone knows she's one of the greatest living actresses. Heck, if she can take what was really a supporting role in Devil Wears Prada and eleveate it to not only leading status but most likely Oscar nominated status she can for sure sing a little Winner Takes it All.

It's obvious by her non dramatic roles (She-Devil, Death Becomes Her, Lemony Snicket) that she does like to kick up her heels and have fun.

Good for her...and good for the movie!

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 10:52am

Rita isn't going to play Tanya. She's co-producing the film. She'll have her hands full.

Posted: 1/11/07 at 10:57am

Keep Rita OUT of the movie. I am happy that Meryl is doing it but would be happier with Olivia...

[BreeDaniel]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 11:12am

This is brilliant casting.

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 11:31am

I don't want Rita to play Tanya either but it's a least a better match for her than Donna was.

Also...just because she's the co-producer doesn't mean she wouldn't be in the movie. Countless actors have starred in movies they co-produced/produced/directed.

[Kringas]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 11:32am

Will there have to be an explanation for the singing (a la Chicago and Dreamgirls?

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 11:47am

Yeah, had i know there was a film even in the works (have i been under a rock for the past four months?) I owuld have been pulling for Newton-John since she was apparently in the running.

but it's not like Streep can do any wrong.

at all.

so this is great news to me!

It seems such an odd conglomeration - one of the worst shows ever starring the greatest actress ever.

[SweMozArt]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 11:58am

I'm a little bit worried about the fact that they will use Phyllida as director since she has never directed a movie before. Obviously she knows the musical in and out but it will be a new fora for her and there is a risk that it will resemble the stage version to much. I guess they wan't to market the movie in the same way as the musical, namely as a women's project. Another choice would have been Lasse Hallström who actually directed ABBAs videos. I don't see him as one of the greatest directors but he sure is competent and he specialices in feel good family movies which Mamma Mia will be.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 12:04pm

I was talking to a friend of mine this morning who works at one of the studios regarding Streep: SWEENEY TODD. Apparently, she turned down Mrs. Lovett, cheifly for scheduling conflicts but also because there was "another" movie musical she was interested in.

Everyone assumed the "other" movie musical was the much speculated Rob Marshall directed remake of GYPSY. But yeah, I guess Streep really wants to sing ABBA music...

In another thread I mentioned that I think the problem with Streep is that outside of her name - its going to be hard to team her with two fifty something actresses and still have a film movie studio heads feel is "marketable." Cher, Meryl Streep and Bette Midler would appeal to women over 60 and gay men. That's about a 30 million dollar gross.
Updated On: 1/11/07 at 12:04 PM

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 12:12pm

I was kinda feeling Nicole Kidman as Tanya, but you do have a point, there, MB.

interesting story 'bout Sweeney.

admittedly, it was probably a good move on her part, seeing how it's turning out, what with Cohen and all.

And remember, the other two women aren't really the only leads - I'm sure they'll find a good draw to play Sophie - and Sky, too. I can think of a bunch of interesting casting ideas for the three men, too. (I'm really feeling Tom Hanks as Harry, the gay one - I dont know why.)

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 12:16pm

Nicole Kidman would have been great opposite someone like Michelle Pfeiffer. Or Catherine Zeta Jones.

But those women are too young to play opposite Streep. Maybe someone like Susan Sarandon? Sigourney Weaver? Updated On: 1/11/07 at 12:16 PM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 12:17pm

Meryl Streep, Cher, and Kathy Bates!

[suzycat]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 12:18pm

This is quite possible the best day of my life.

Meryl, I love you.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 12:18pm

Bates would be fun - but god this really is a marketing disaster. They better be getting Jack Nicholson...

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 1/11/07 at 12:20pm

I think the bigger question now is who's going to play the daughter. That seems like a much tougher role to fill. Will they go with someone unknown, or pick a big star?

I can't immediately come up with anyone who can sing in Hollywood that would be good as Sophie.