This morning, the always delightful Meryl Streep stopped by CBS’ Early Show to chat with PopWatch fave Harry Smith about Julie & Julia. Near the end of the interview, they talked about Meryl’s new status as a summer blockbuster star. “I know, go figure. It’s so… alarming,” she said, with that laugh that is utterly joyous yet entirely elegant. “What’s happening to the world?” After she explained that it’s a bizarre, but happy surprise, Harry gave her a scenario: “Listen, they’re gonna ask you to do a movie about something very serious, and they’ll just say, ‘But it just has to have one car crash or one helicopter thing.’ That’s how it starts. Don’t be afraid.”
“I don’t think they’re gonna get me in the catsuit anytime soon,” she said. “Although… I’d pay to avoid that movie.”
Obviously, a 15-time Oscar nominee doesn’t need my career advice, but I would love to see Meryl Streep in a smart action film. I’m thinking a James Bond flick where she goes head-to-head with M (Judi Dench) or perhaps the next Bourne movie with Matt Damon. A part of me would even sanction her having a small but important role in the third Charlie’s Angels movie Drew Barrymore has been toying with. What? I’d love to see what an actress of Streep’s caliber could bring to a true popcorn flick — like Johnny Depp in The Pirates of the Caribbean — and Drew said she was considering adding a fourth Angel. (Though, honestly, I would prefer Meryl play a delicious villain — who kills one of the Angels. Controversial!)
She has done action! “The River Wild” with Kevin Bacon. Alright, its not too much action, leaning more towards tense thriller, but the white water rafting scenes should count as action!
This is exactly what I was going to say. Besides, “The River Wild” is awesome. It’s always neat how time can change the billing of a movie too. “The River Wild” used to be a thriller starring Oscar winner Streep and Kevin Bacon. Now it could be billed as a thriller starring Oscar winner Streep, Oscar nominee Stratharn, Oscar nominee Reilly, and ol’ reliable, Kevin Bacon.
I agree! I just saw The River Wild a couple of weeks ago, and it is an action movie. And Meryl was great in it. I’d like to see her in something else, as long as it’s NOT the third Charlie’s Angel flick. The last one was godawful and I was hoping there wouldn’t be a third one.
You’re right. I meant another action film. One with a car chase as opposed to canoes.
The next Bourne film so that she can have a throw-down and/or power struggle with Joan Allen. How awesome would that be?
Who cares! Let’s talk about how amazing she looks in that interview!
She and Amy Adams should team up (again) in a buddy cop/action movie. Perhaps they could remake the original Lethal Weapon, but with Amy playing Martina Riggs and Meryl playing Rose Murtaugh. Imagine the line reading Meryl could give on “I’m getting too old for this sh**”!
HAHA. I hope you are kidding.
What??? Are you dense? What is it with this pubescent fascination with action movies? You’re probably hoping she’d agree to do a sequel to the “G.I. Schmoe” movie. Jeez.
Hey! Lighten up Lou Airtouch! This is just a suggestion and I think it was borne out of the desire if the great Meryl Streep will also do well in a real action movie, one that’s more hardcore than River Wild or even as light and fun as the Lethal Weapon series. Imagine a female FBI detective with an Eastern European accent? that would be hilarious and fun!
LOVE the idea of Streep in an action movie.
However, I wouldn’t have her infringing on her fellow thespians’ action ground. (I’d let Dench have Bond and Joan Allen have “Bourne”.)
Instead, I’m thinking she can rock some kind of supersecret role in JJ Abrams’ “Star Trek” sequel. She could be a villain, a mentor. Doesn’t matter which, because Streep would rock either role.
Meryl Streep in a sci-fi actioner? if she plays an alien i would be completely down with that idea!
She’s mastered almost every accent on Earth…why not let her take on an alien language, right?
Please! no alien or any other kind of sci-fi movie for Meryl, pls. She can do anything, we know, almost, but just have her pass on this one!
YYEEESSS! She’d make a great alien matriarch!
Ceballos, I am dying over this suggestion. A Star Trek villain — wow would that be fantastic!
she needs her own leading spy adventure film she’s brilliant.
Forget mentor or villain or whatever, I’d love to see Meryl do like an “everywoman” role in a Die Hard-esque thing, where she’s a normal woman who suddenly gets caught up in something and HAS to kick ass!
Yes! a thriller!
Meryl & Sigourney Weaver, sisters, kicking ALIEN ass in an ALIEN sequel.
I like the concept! Now if I just had 30 or 40 million to invest. It would be a smash, if it had a decent script.
She should play a Bond villain
A movie prequel to Chuck, which Streep playing Chuck’s mom in her pre-children days
I like the Bond idea (because it’s action but it’s also classy)but not opposite M. I think she’d make a pretty hot villain. She’s still gorgeous and could be a love interest/double-crosser type.
Nope! No Bond movie for Meryl, pls. She better be in an action movie of her own, not a franchise film that has someone else as the main draw. Let’s see if she can carry a film by herself in this genre.
I am dying to see her as the “oldest” James Bond girl but as a villain. Wait till we see her preparing a “martini” for James Bond? But they should pay lots of money to do it.
How about my favorite actress, as the police chief of some big city police force. She’s brilliant and calm and by the book until someone starts killing her detectives….then look out! I volunteer to write the script.
add to this scenario, at the risk of being trite,having achild as a victim or potential victim… whoah! but i think i like the idea of a die hard-esque movie. not as gory and unbelievable as KBacon’s Death Sentence, pls.
I see Meryl Streep as Ma Barker in a remake of Bloody Mama.
She can do ANYTHING!
Villain – The Devil wears Prada (well not exactly action – but mean), Manchurian Candidate
Romantic – The Dear Hunter
Complex – Heartburn, Kramer v. Kramer, Sophie’s choice
Musical – Mama Mia
Funny – Death Becomes Her, Postcards from the Edge.
She IS the BOND GIRL – just by virtue of being able to disappear into any character.
I could not agree with you more. But honestly, I would love to see her rip Matt Damon to shreds in a Bourne movie.