According to published reports, the lineup has been announced for the Rainforest Fund benefit concert on April 3rd at Carnegie Hall. The concert will feature Sting, Elton John, Meryl Streep, James Taylor, Katharine McPhee, Bryn Terfel, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill and other surprise guests. In addition to the concert, there will also be a gala dinner and live and silent auctions. Tickets for the event go on sale on Monday, February 27. For more information visit www.carnegiehall.org. In 1989, Sting and Trudie Styler founded the organizations jointly known as Rainforest Foundation. Since then the Foundation has been supporting indigenous peoples and traditional populations of the rainforest in their efforts to conserve their land and defend their rights. Since 2008, the importance of rainforest protection as a contribution to preventing climate change has received much international attention. Thanks to Glenn for the news.

In anticipation of tomorrow’s Academy Awards, I’ve added some rare pictures of Meryl’s previous red carpet (and press room) appearances at the Academy Awards, ranging from 1979 to 1989. A full list of updated galleries can be found below the previews. Enjoy!

Appearances > 1989 > Academy Awards
Appearances > 1986 > Academy Awards
Appearances > 1984 > Academy Awards
Appearances > 1983 > Academy Awards (After-Party)
Appearances > 1983 > Academy Awards (Screencaptures)
Appearances > 1983 > Academy Awards (Press Room)
Appearances > 1983 > Academy Awards (Red Carpet)
Appearances > 1982 > Academy Awards
Appearances > 1980 > Academy Awards (Press Room)
Appearances > 1980 > Academy Awards (Stage)
Appearances > 1979 > Academy Awards

Jimmy Kimmel seems to be celebrating his special Oscar show “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Academy Awards®” the big time! With Meryl Streep, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Martin Scorsese, Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron, Don Cheadle, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Samuel L. Jackson, Cameron Diaz, Tyler Perry, Colin Farrell have joined Kimmel for “Movie: The Movie” – the biggest, greatest, most star-studded film in the history of American cinema. Watch “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Academy Awards®” February 26th on ABC to witness movie history made. Get the full scoop on their official website, their Facebook page and watch the very promising teaser below. (judging from the image, Meryl’s segment was filmed back when she attended Jimmy Kimmel Live). This is going to be fun!

Yesterday, Meryl introduced Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, director and writer of the film “A Separation,” at the 84th Annual Academy Awards’ Foreign Language Film Award Directors Reception in Beverly Hills. Pictures from the event have been added to the image library.

Here comes a fantastic treat for the image library – the German “Zeit Magazin” (February 23 issue, now on newsstands) has an in-depth article on Meryl’s and Brigitte Lacombe’s collaboration throughout the years, featuring an array of stunning pictures. Seriously, I’m going to write this every time there’s an update related to Brigitte Lacombe – hopefully one day she’ll publish a book with just pictures of Meryl! Enjoy the scans :-)

Meryl Streep will present at the 84th Academy Awards ceremony, telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer announced today. Streep joins a stellar list of previously announced Oscar presenters, including Halle Berry, Rose Byrne, Bradley Cooper, Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Michael Douglas, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Zach Galifianakis, Tom Hanks, Angelina Jolie, Milla Jovovich, Ellie Kemper, Jennifer Lopez, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Maya Rudolph, Emma Stone and Kristen Wiig. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, from the Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

Scans from eight new international magazines have been added to the image library, with many thanks to Lydia-Caroline, Elisa, Sandra and Simona! Your contributions are very appreciated! A full list of new additions can be found below.

Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2012 > Version Femina (France, February 2012)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2012 > Elle Magazine (France, February 2012)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2012 > Le Nouvel Observateur (France, February 2012)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2012 > M Le magazine du monde (France, January 2012)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2012 > Paris Match (France, February 2012)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2012 > Point de Vue (France, February 2012)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2012 > My Weekly (United Kingdom, February 2012)
Image Library > Magazine Scans > 2012 > Ciak Magazine (Italy, February 2012)

According to the Hollywood Reporter, The Weinstein Co finally seems ready to move ahead on its long-planned adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play, August: Osage County. The company announced Wednesday that it has attached Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep to the project, which will be directed by John Wells (Company Men). TWC says it is eying a fall production start. Written by Tracy Letts, the play follows the women of a family whose lives have splintered in many directions until a crisis bring them back to their childhood home and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. Streep will play the pill-popping matriarch, while Roberts will portray her daughter. News of the pairing first surfaced in 2010 but deals and schedules took time to figure out. Streep also is in the middle of the best actress Oscar race for the Weinsteins’ The Iron Lady, and the announcement allows TWC to put out a nice quote about her from Roberts while the voting is still open: “After seeing Meryl Streep’s mesmerizing portrayal as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, it has me even more excited and proud to co-star with her.”

It has taken quite some time, but finally here are all video clips from the Berlin International Film Festival. First, the press conference (the video clip is a summary, the full 45-minutes press conference has been added to the audio archive). Also added is a compilation of German television reports on Meryl’s appearance, including interviews. Then, the premiere of “The Iron Lady” and the Honorary Golden Bear presentation, featuring Jake Gyllenhaal’s very funny introduction and Meryl’s even funnier speech. Enjoy the new videos!

Many additional pictures have been added to the Berlinale galleries. The reception of the Honorary Golden Bear took place between the film’s premiere and the screening of “The Iron Lady”. Jury member and presenter Jake Gyllenhaal, who has been a childhood friend of Meryl’s son, shared some funny stories about how strict Meryl was as a mother, before handing her the award. Video clips from all events will be added later today, including the press conference, the awards ceremony and various interviews from German television. Check back later!