Vanity Fair will have a stunning cover with Meryl for its January 2010 issue, on newsstands December 2! Hollywood is no place for older women – or is it? Leslie Bennetts investigates the mystery of how, at age 60, Meryl Streep has become the industry’s “new box-office queen.” The evidence is indisputable: Her 2008 screen musical Mamma Mia!, Bennetts writes, “has grossed $601 million worldwide, despite some cringe-worthy reviews (for the movie, not its much-lauded heroine).” The Devil Wears Prada, in which Streep played a demanding fashion-magazine editrix, has raked in $324 million around the world. And Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia, released earlier this year, has earned $121 million and counting. Producers hope for comparable results from It’s Complicated, a Christmas release featuring a love triangle between Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin. All this unexpected success has had the effect of exploding several long-standing myths: There is no life after 40 for women in Hollywood. Au contraire! “It’s incredible – I’m 60,

and I’m playing the romantic lead in romantic comedies!” Streep says to Bennetts. “Bette Davis is rolling over in her grave.” And while Streep’s success is no guarantee that other actresses will fare any better than they traditionally have, it’s a step in the right direction. “She broke the glass ceiling of an older woman being a big star – it has never, never happened before,” says Mike Nichols. Regarding Mamma Mia! and its aforementioned box-office haul of more than a half-billion dollars, Streep says:

It’s so gratifying because it’s the audience that nobody really gives a shit about.

 

A preview of the article, including some stunning photographs can be found on Vanity Fair’s website. To read more about Meryl Streep, and learn more about the ways in which her incredible third-act success is overturning Hollywood’s assumptions, pick up a copy of Vanity Fair’s January issue, out December 2 in New York and Los Angeles and December 8 nationwide.

The Fan-Art section has been re-opened again, so far hosting icons and wallpapers on Meryl and her films. I’ve decided to keep it an interactive section with previews of people’s creations and links to their sites instead of all hosting them on Simply Streep directly, so people can easily contribute their Livejournal pages and such to have them previewed here. The Fan-Art section is fairly in its beginning, so if you’re a talented creator, be sure to have a look and contribute your icons/wallpapers.

Here’s another blast from the past, with many thanks to Daniel. In 1991, the E! Channel has aired a spotlight on the Academy Awards nominees, and their segment on Meryl features a lengthy interview on “Postcards from the Edge” with many excerpts and behind-the-scenes footage. Enjoy!

Meryl’s appearance on “Live with Regis & Kelly” can be now watched at the video archive. Captures have been added as well with thanks to Nora!

Both the audio and video archives have been updated with lots of new findings. First, clips of Meryl’s more recent appearances to the premiere of “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and the “A Magical Evening” Gala Benefit, a behind-the-scenes look at Meryl recording her “Fox” lines as well as a clip of Film 2009’s report on the UK release of “Julie & Julia”, with thanks to Alvaro for contributing the latter.

Then, older clips have been added as well – ranging from films and televised stage productions (Dark Matter, Secret Service, Alice at the Palace), making ofs (Lemony Snicket, with thanks to Tina), more promotional interviews for A Cry in the Dark, Postcards from the Edge and Death Becomes Her to various television programmes, including reports on Mother Courage in 2006, the Theater of War documentary as well as Meryl’s appearance at the 9/11 Memorial tribute in Central Park in 2002. Again, thanks to Tina for these rare finds.

Last but not least, the audio archive has been updated with many new soundbites, including the MoMa Conversation with Mike Nichols, also featuring Streep, Elaine May and Nora Ephron, various stage readings from A Prairie Home Companion and public speeches to support charity events. Everything can be found in the audio archive. Enjoy the new additions!

A couple of remaining magazine scans from September to November 2009 have been added to the Image Library. They’re all about the European release of “Julie & Julia” as well as early buzz on “It’s Complicated”. Many thanks to the people who have contributed these – Andrea, Alvaro, Elmira, Nora and Shannys. Thanks a lot!

Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Elle Magazine (Argentina, November 2009)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Entertainment Weekly (USA, October 2009)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > L’Officiel Magazine (Russia, October 2009)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Oggi Magazine (Italy, October 2009)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Roma Capitale Magazine (Italy, October 2009)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Diva Magazine (Netherlands, October 2009)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2009 > Sunday Life Magazine (United Kingdom, September 2009)

Added pictures from yesterday’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox” panel at Apple Store Soho, in which director Wes Anderson as well as actors Jason Schwartzman and Meryl Streep participated.

Pictures from the New York premiere of “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (November 10) have been added to the Image Library. More pictures and video coverage will follow this weekend.

At the film’s after-party, Meryl spoke to the NY Post’s Cindy Adams, who asked Meryl what possessed her to voice a cartoon fox (married to a George Clooney-voiced Mr. Fox). Meryl says: “Well, the chance to work with Wes Anderson and the chance to fly to Paris, where I did my work, with some extra recording done in Connecticut. When I did my lines, Wes played the other character speaking back to me, which helps give a feel for the action. Very important because reactions and the way your body moves defines your voice. So when I was working, George was on some of the tracks and Wes on some.”

Scans from the latest Entertainment Weekly have been added to the Image Library. Enjoy!

Yesterday, Meryl has attended the 19th Annual “A Magical Evening” Gala Benefit. Pictures from the event have been added to the Image Library.