Deadline has, once again, the exclusive scoop on “Great Hope Springs”: “I’m told that Tommy Lee Jones has surfaced as the front-runner to play Meryl Streep’s husband in the David Frankel-directed Great Hope Springs. Mandate Pictures recently set Streep as one half of the troubled couple and Steve Carell to play the marriage therapist who tries to help rekindle their loveless relationship after 31 years of marriage. It’s their last shot before divorce. Vanessa Taylor wrote the script. Escape Artists’ Todd Black and Film 360’s Guymon Casady are producing. Shooting starts in August.” Personally, while I am still not sure if this film is going to happen this soon – I consider Mr. Jones the best actor of his time, so he would be a perfect match for Meryl Streep.

A new picture from yesterday’s filming of “The Iron Lady” has been added. It’s a case of BIN there, done that for the Iron Lady… as these latest pictures from the filming of her life story show. Trademark handbag by her side, Mrs T, played by a ­spookily similar-looking Meryl Streep, has to fight her way past vast piles of rubbish bags in a ­recreation of 1979’s ­Winter of Discontent. Shortly after, Thatcher led the Tories to victory – and 11 years in Downing Street. The Iron Lady, due in cinemas at the end of the year, tells how Britain’s only female Prime Minister rose to power.

In a recent article by Deadline on a new collaboration for Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman, the director and author who helmed “Apdation” in 2002, there’s word on another possible project that Kaufman is aiming at and – according to this source – has gained Meryl’s interest. “It’s not the only Kaufman project in the mix. I’m told he’s looking to direct his script Frank Or Francis. The film chronicles a volatile back and forth between a film director (Frank) and an online blogger (Francis), who takes delight in berating his cinematic talent. The project’s at Sony Pictures for the moment, and names like Adaptation’s Meryl Streep being talked about for roles.” The complete article can be read here.

News on the previously mentioned “Great Hope Springs” have been slow lately. Although it was promoted as a done deal back in Autumn 2010, there hasn’t been any news on the comedy drama ever since. Now, Deadline not only reports that director Mike Nichols has been replaced by David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada), but also that Steve Carrell has been cast as the couple’s therapist (thanks for those letting me know since I originally wrote he was cast as the husband). As the husband, the latest news have been on James Gandolfini. No further sources or dates have been published. Personally, I think this is not close to being official as of now – especially since the first article says that Meryl is “in final negotiations” while the second article quotes the first one by saying she “officially signed on”. Let’s wait :-)

Brand new pictures from the “Iron Lady” set, taken on February 15, 2011, have been added to the image library. In the scenes currently being shot in South London, Mrs Thatcher is seen confronting protesters in the 1980s who are angry about job cuts and the introduction of the controversial poll tax.

Pictures from the set of “The Iron Lady”, taken on February 11 2011, have been added to the image library.

Much has been written in the British press since the first promotional still for “The Iron Lady” has been published. It’s sometimes difficult to interpret the UK press since they’re either very pro or anti Thatcher, which ultimately influences the tone of their articles.  First, the Daily Mail has reported that Meryl Streep was not able to talk to Margaret Thatcher herself. “Margaret Thatcher refused to meet actress Meryl Streep to discuss a new film about the former Prime Minister over fears that it could distort her 11 years in power.” Unfortunately there is no further source for this stated. Then, also courtesy the Daily Mail, pictures from the set have been revealed. “New shots of the actress on set showed a different side of the legendary politician. Meryl, filmed a scene [on February 11, 2011] in which the ex-PM gives daughter Carol a driving lesson in an old Austin Maxi.” Then, there’s more analysis on the first promotional still and Meryl’s ability to perform by the Telegraph. And lastly, according to the Guardian, Meryl Streep’s Margaret Thatcher reveals a modern icon. The photograph of Meryl Streep as Thatcher reminds us of the potent combination that created the image of an “Iron Lady”.

Many thanks to everyone for the heads-up on these exiting news. Pathé UK has released the first shot of Meryl Streep as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Streep is in the 2nd week of filming The Iron Lady in London.

It’s the first feature from director Phyllida since she directed Streep in Mamma Mia. Jim Broadbent plays Thatcher’s husband Dennis. Damian Jones is the producer. Fox will release here in Britain through its output deal with Pathé, which is handling international sales itself. Pathé will unveil footage at Cannes. North American rights are still unsold. “I am trying to approach the role with as much zeal, fervour and attention to detail as the real Lady Thatcher possesses – I can only hope my stamina will begin to approach her own,” says Streep.

Many thanks to Peter for sending in the teaser trailer for the recent documentary “Where the Work Is: The Austin Pendleton Project”. It can be watched on Youtube and Simply Streep’s video archive.

“The Austin Pendelton Project” is the profile of an artist that has been up and down for more than four decades and always gone where the work is. Artists and film directors Gene Gallerano and David Holmes attempt to capture and explore the process that a teacher and director uses to help actors understand the reality of a given circumstance in imagined situations and the intricate navigation of arriving at a point of truth. With support and insight from an incredible pool of actors, writers and directors including Olympia Dukakis, Meryl Streep, Louis Zorich, Laurie Metcalf and more, the discovery of Austin Pendleton’s struggles and successes will be illuminated and explored. More on the documentary can be found at its official website.

Article courtesy Bloomberg. Actress Meryl Streep visited the British Parliament to watch Prime Minister’s Questions today as she prepared for her role playing Margaret Thatcher.

Streep will portray the former prime minister in “The Iron Lady,” which deals with the run-up to the 1982 Falklands Conflict. Cameron’s office said she contacted it to secure a pass to the House of Commons viewing gallery. The half-hour weekly question session sees Cameron dealing with any topic about which lawmakers choose to ask him. Its combative style makes it the highlight of Britain’s political week, and party leaders spend hours preparing. When Thatcher was in office between 1979 and 1990, there were two 15-minute sessions a week.