With the release of “The Manchurian Candidate”, Entertainment Weekly reported about Angela Lansbury’s displeasure on Meryl Streep taking over the role she performed in the original film. Further it was written that Streep had based her character on senator Hilary Clinton and that Paramount had to cut additional scenes that were too much Clinton. In an interview with NBC, Streep stated that she was disturbed by these reports, adding that her performance was not based on Clinton, but “who says I haven’t modeled it on a man?”. And although Entertainment Weekly stands by its taped interview, Streep reveals that Lansbury called her and denied she made the statements. “She said, ‘I never said this. I love all the people making this. I don’t know who started the rumor.”

Meryl and her family attended the Shanghai Film Festival, as reported below. Presenting an award that night, Streep recalled to be a fan of the Chinese theatre.

“I love Chinese movies and don’t get enough of them in the United States and that’s why people hold film festivals to make others aware of films in other countries.”

Meryl Streep was announced to attend the 2004 Shanghai Film Festival’s closing ceremony on June 12, 2004. For more information on her appearance and the festival, visit their Official Website

Meryl Streep was bestowed an honorary degree by Middlebury College president John McCardell during commencement ceremonies at the college, Sunday, May 23, 2004., in Middlebury, Vt. Visit the Middlebury College’s Official Website for further information.

The Bernards High School alumni are both participating in the school’s centennial celebration. Palmer, who was graduated from the high school 50 years ago, is spear-heading the event, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, June 18–19, 2005. The former borough Mayor got two-time Oscar winner Streep, a former cheerleader and homecoming queen from the Class of 1967, to be the event’s honorary chairwoman. Read full article at The Bernardsville News

Theatre folk Kevin Kline, Vanessa Redgrave, Mary-Louise Parker, Tony Kushner and Meryl Streep are among guest readers for The Academy of American Poets benefit presentation “Poetry and The Creative Mind,” set for April 6 at Lincoln Center. The second annual event, sponsored by Target, will begin at Alice Tully Hall at 6:30 PM. Read more information at Variety.com

On Thursday, May 27, New Dramatists – the nation’s oldest not-for-profit workshop de-voted to the development of new playwrights – will honor Meryl Streep with its 2004 Career Achievement Award at its 55th annual spring luncheon, to be held in the Broadway Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis. Kevin Kline will present the award, and playwright Tony Kushner will also pay tribute to the star. All proceeds will benefit New Dramatists. Article courtesy Theater Mania. Thanks to Frank for submitting.

In an Official press release, Universal Pictures announced to produce “Prime”, a romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep, described as an “emotional love story set in New York about a 37-year-old career woman from the Upper East Side”. Visit their Press Release for more information.

The website of Variety reports: Actress Meryl Streep turns producer for Sarah Jones’ bridge and tunnel, which officially opens at the 45 Bleecker Street Theatre, Feb. 19. Streep joins The Culture Project, Allan Buchman, Robert Dragotta, Jayson Jackson, Michael Alden and Eric Falkenstein in presenting the latest one-woman work from the writer-performer of Surface Transit.

The Internet Movie Database has published first release dates for the upcoming “The Manchurian Candidate”, including October 21, 2004 for Germany, October 29, 2004 for the UK and November 03, 2004 for France, a US release date is not yet given. A US release date for “Lemony Snicket A Series of Unfortunate Events” is sheduled for December 25, 2004. Also, Meryl’s upcoming performances in “Chaos”, “Flora Plum” and “Prime” are still unconfirmed