Prepare for a longer post :-) Here come some news that I didn’t pay much attention to at first. The Los Angeles Times has reported today about a new comedy “being shopped around Hollywood” called “Mommy & Me”, starring Meryl Streep and Tina Fey, and to be directed by Stanley Tucci. Doesn’t sound all to bad (sans the title probably), but if you read between the lines, there actually isn’t a project.

There’s no script and no writers yet on the film, which is obviously at the shopping/development stage, but the central idea is that of a mother-daughter comedy that will give the two actresses a chance to flash their comedic and dramatic chops.

As previously said, I didn’t give much to it, given the fact of not a single written word for a script, and because it’s the third unconfirmed role for Meryl within two weeks. But – give the internet some hours – every source from Entertainment Weekly to New York Magazine to People is reporting on this new project – fairly quoting its current status. Then, according to the Wrap, there’s even confirmation by CAA (the agency that represents both Streep and Tucci) that such project is currently being shopped. If this idea of a film is really being made into a feature, it very well might be the first project of Meryl we knew about before it was even written! Most certainly, it adds a new level to the fast paced community of online movie news. Let’s wait and see.

I’m not sure how reliable these news are – but in terms of unofficial movie news, I guess nothing is :-) According to Cinema Blend, in quoting Deadline New York, Streep and Nichols are very much involved, but Bridges isn’t attached to “Great Hope Springs” anymore.

Continuted from Cinema Blend: It’s a bummer not just because it would have been awesome to see The Dude and Julia Child team up as an age-appropriate couple, but because it’s pretty hard to find an actor in Streep’s age range who’s remotely up to her challenge. She and Stanley Tucci made a great team both in Devil Wears Prada and Julie & Julia but Tucci is actually 11 years her junior. At 60 Streep is seven years older than Tom Hanks but more than a decade younger than Robert Redford, Jon Voight, Dustin Hoffman – all the actors who were her contemporaries in the 70s. Bridges and Streep are nearly exactly the same age, which is just another reason they would have been perfect together.

Yesterday, Meryl was in attendance in Poltu Quatu, Sardegna, Italy, to receive the 2010 Rodolfo Valentino Award. Clips of her acceptance speech can be now watched in the video archive, with thanks to Nora & Tina.

The Rodolfo Valentino award is given each year by a jury of critics to movie personalities who have success all over the world. The winners of 2010, Meryl and Andy Garcia, join a selected group of outstanding personalities, including Pedro Almodovar, Robert Altman, Bernardo Berolucci, Francis Ford Coppola, Bette Davis, Jeremy Irons, Sophia Loren and Roman Polanski, among others. Pictures from the ceremony have been uploaded to the image library.

Some of you may remember Iain Johnstone’s book, “Streep“, which was released last Summer and is currently available in a revised edition. Back then I’ve made a deal that in exchange for mentioning the book, I would receive a copy of the interview that Mr. Johnstone and Meryl did in 1983 at the National Film Theater in London (as it was mentioned in the book). To make a long story short – as good things take time – I’m proud to finally share this rare treat with you!

Back in 1983, Meryl visited London to promote “Sophie’s Choice” and to talk about her films. The NFT produced a fourty minutes television broadcast in which she was interviewed by Mr. Johnstone. Enjoy watching the interview, and kindly do not copy these on other websites or sharing portals. Thanks! Screencaps have been also uploaded to the Image Library. My most sincere thanks go to David for helping me with this – thank you!

As you can see, Simply Streep is running a brand new layout! It has taken quite a while to bring it online – and also to convert and update all remaining pages, but here it finally is and I hope you enjoy the new look. Some parts have been modified, most notably the filmography pages – you can now rate each of Meryl’s films and also write your own comments, so don’t hestitate to share your thoughts. Also, you can now search the full site via the search form next to the navigation on top. The video archive will be converted as we speak, and once this is done, expect a great surprise!

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Meryl is currently in negotiations to star as Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady,” a biopic of the controversial and long-governing former British prime minister. Jim Broadbent is in talks to play Margaret Thatcher’s husband, Denis, for the pic, which is being co-produced and co-financed by Pathe and Film4. The film is said to be directed by Phyllida Lloyd, who last helmed the big screen version of “Mamma Mia”.

This project, like the previous mentioned “Great Hope Springs” is not official yet. A couple of years ago there already was a mention of Streep playing Thatcher, although these were simply misleading, since the actual news were based on a quote by Oliver Stone, saying that Meryl would be his first choice to play Thatcher. Still, if this new project will be done, Meryl will be in magnificent company with Jim Broadbent, who won an Academy Award in 2002 for his performance in “Iris”.

Meryl’s speech at the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award honoring Mike Nichols has been added to the video archive. Apparently, her speech was shortened for the television broadcast.

While still unofficial, according to the Wrap, Mike Nichols is in talks to direct Mandate Pictures’ “Great Hope Springs,” an individual familiar with the project told TheWrap. Oscar winners Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges are currently close to finalizing deals to star in the dramedy. CAA, which represents Nichols, Streep and Bridges, would not confirm the negotiations. This would be the fifth project for Nichols and Streep after “Silkwood” (1983), “Heartburn” (1986), “Postcards from the Edge” (1990) and “Angels in America” (2003).

According to Coming Soon, Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges are in talks to star in Escape Artists’ “Great Hope Springs”. Philip Seymour Hoffman is also circling the project but may not be able to join in due to schedule conflicts. The film, written by Vanessa Taylor Writer, is about a couple who have been married for thirty years and attend an intense counseling weekend to decide the fate of their marriage. Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Guymon Casady and Steve Tisch are producing the dramedy.

“In talks” basically means that the two are considered, or wanted for this projects, so I wouldn’t count it as an official project for now. Be sure I keep you posted on further information.

According to the Italian news association ANSA, Meryl Streep and Andy Garcia will be awarded with the Rudolfo Valentino Award in Poltu Quatu, Sardegna, Italy, July 7. The Rodolfo Valentino award is given each year by a jury of critics to movie personalities who have success all over the world, past winners include Pedro Almodovar, Robert Altman, Bernardo Berolucci, Francis Ford Coppola, Bette Davis, Jeremy Irons, Sophia Loren and Roman Polanski, among others. Thanks to Ilaria for the heads-up!