There’s news on the big screen adaptation of “August: Osage County” – although it’s pretty much what has been known already. Theater buffs have been curious for a while now about the cinematic fate of “August: Osage County,” Tracy Letts’ 2008 Pulitzer Prize-winning family drama that has been in development as a movie for several years. Now the film project – which would have Meryl Streep as pill-popping matriarch Violet Weston and Julia Roberts as her complicated adult daughter Barbara – looks to finally be taking a step forward. An executive at the Weinstein Co., which owns rights to and has been developing the movie, said that a September schedule-opening for both Streep and Roberts could allow the movie to begin shooting in the fall. The executive, Weinstein Co. COO David Glasser, said the goal was for the film to wrap production by the end of 2012 and come out in the 2013 autumn awards season. According to another person at the company who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to talk about internal matters, Letts, who had been adapting his own play for the screen, recently turned in his screenplay to the company and executives deem it close to shooting-ready. The complete article can be read at the Los Angeles Times, a second article has been published by Cinema Blend. Let’s see how this develops. Thanks to Glenn and Frank for the heads-up!

According to Entertainment Weekly, the first round of presenters has been confirmed for the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Meryl Streep, Kirsten Dunst, William H. Macy, and Rashida Jones will take part in the Seth Rogen-hosted ceremony held on February 25. It airs that night at 10 p.m. ET on IFC. The Artist and Take Shelter lead the nominations. Thanks to Frank for the heads-up!

The movie of the week has not been forgotten, just a bit delayed due to the SAG Awards. This week we cover “The House of the Spirits”, Bille August’s 1993 adaptation of Isabel Allende’s bestselling novel. The film has been a misfire in the USA but quite successful in Europe – yet, it’s not often mentioned in Meryl’s resume. The galleries have been updated with additional stills, promotional pictures and quality screencaptures. The video archive now features better quality versions of the trailers, the making of and three clips from the film. Did you like “The House of the Spirits”? Share your thoughts! P.S. Three clips from “Heartburn” have been added as well, somehow they went missing when it was Movie of the Week ;-)

Fantastic news according to Exhibitor Relations. The US theatrical release of “Great Hope Springs” has been moved from December 14th to August 10th. Starring Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Carell, the David Frankel-directed dramedy follows an older couple as they try to work out their marriage with a weekend of couple’s counseling; Carell will play “the marriage therapist who tries to help rekindle their loveless relationship.” A Summer movie to look forward to.

A couple of stunning new production and promotional stills, as well as on-set pictures have been added to the gallery.

More pictures from yesterday’s 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards have been added to the image library, click the links to check all recent additions from the red carpet and the show. Then, the segment of Meryl presenting the In Memoriam tribute, as well as the Outstanding Female Actor category can be found in the video archive.

The 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards take place today, and Simply Streep will keep you updated throughout the evening. The red carpet has just started, so make sure to check back for the first pictures of Meryl and, later, results and multimedia from the ceremony. First pictures from the red carpet have been added. Meryl hosted the In Memoriam segment. The award for Outstanding Female Actor went to Viola Davis for “The Help”. Check the image library for newly added pictures.

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts announced the winners of its newly launched AACTA International Awards recognizing International Achievements in Film at an intimate awards Ceremony at Soho House. The Artist was awarded Best Film, lead actor, Jean Dujardin, was awarded Best Actor. Meryl Streep was awarded the AACTA International Award for Best Actress for her role in The Iron Lady. Meryl has attended the award, so pictures will be added later today. Thanks to Frank for the heads-up! Edit: Over 100 pictures from the event have been added to the image library.

More scans from international magazines have been added to the image library, featuring articles from France, Turkey, Spain and the United Kingdom. My thanks, once again, to my fellow contributors Martine, Yucel and Elmira. Then, the previously posted Italian Gioia article has been kindly translated by Simona and added to the magazines archive, alongside new articles by The Telegraph, The Independent, The National and Now Magazine. Enjoy!

Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2012 > Glamour Magazine (United Kingdom, February 2012)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2012 > Yo Donna (Spain, January 2012)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2012 > Milliyet Sanat (Turkey, January 2012)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2012 > Sinema (Turkey, January 2012)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2011 > Gala (France, November 2011)

No matter if Meryl will take home another Screen Actors Guild Award on Sunday or not, according to the SAG’s recent press release, she’ll take the stage anyway – as a presenter. The Screen Actors Guild Awards Executive Producer Jeff Margolis has announced that Actor® recipients including Tina Fey, Kevin Bacon, Kenneth Branagh, Jean Dujardin, John Krasinski, Kyra Sedgwick, Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams are to present at the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. They join an already impressive list of actors who are honoring their colleagues, including Kyle Chandler, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray, Judy Greer, Larry Hagman, Armie Hammer, Ed Helms, SAG President Ken Howard, Regina King, Julianna Margulies, Natalie Portman, Maya Rudolph, Octavia Spencer and Dick Van Dyke. The 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® will take place at the hrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles and be simulcast live on TNT as well as TBS on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at 8 p.m. (ET) / 5 p.m. (PT).