Meryl Streep as Julia Child

[sheilal]

Just saw a story on the drudge report that says Meryl is in talks about playing Julia in an upcoming movie. I think she could play her very well. What do you guys think? Who do you think would play Julia the best?

[Ashforth]

For anyone in Austin, the Alamo Drafthouse on S. Lamar is doing 'Dinner and a Movie' with Julie & Julia on August 11, serving a five course dinner. The menu isn't posted on their website yet. My sister is taking me as my birthday gift, and I can't wait!

[Mawrter]

That sounds like a fabulous evening, especially for a Chowhound birthday! Happy Birthday!

[greygarious]

Never read Julie Powell's blog or book - the screenplay will alternate between Powell's story and Julia's WWII era experiences in Europe, when she met and maried Paul Child. The film is supposed to come out in either April or August.

[ChefJune]

I am sorry they did it that way. I think Julia Child's life was interesting enough to make a good movie on its own without interjecting a whole nother story into it. I will see it, but I won't like it nearly as much as I would have if they had just done it based upon Julia herself.

[ArizonaDave]

I heard Aug 7th release.
I found this pic of Streep in character. Not bad at all.

[Glencora]

I just remembered that I saw Jean Stapleton (Edith Bunker) "do" Julia Child at a theater fundraiser. She was very good, very funny and looked quite like her. Meryl Streep really doesn't look anything like JC, but then Cate Blanchet didn't look like Katherine Hepburn, either. Voices are important, and I"m sure Streep will nail that.

[energy]

What about John Travolta ???

[ChefJune]

I disagree. I think that as good an actress as she is, Meryl Streep always comes across looking just exactly like Meryl Streep. I couldn't imagine watching anyone playing our Julia and looking like Meryl Streep! Actually, I think Carol Burnett could play her best!

[rockandroller1]

It's not a look-alike contest, it's an acting role. I would think acting ability/chops would be much more important than whether she physically resembles Julia.

[ChefJune]

certainly, but imho there should be some resemblance.

[DBrooks]

Meryl will be amazing in the role, it's a no-brainer. Remember Anthony Hopkins as Nixon? Didn't really *look* like him, but he was incredible.

[gloriousfood]

Speaking of physical resemblance or lack thereof, it should be interesting to see Cate Blanchette playing Bob Dylan.

I think that if anyone can pull it off, it's Meryl. For goodness sake, she convinced me she was Anna Wintour in "The Devil Wears Prada," and there was zero physical resemblance between the two!

[stellamystar]

Looking forward to anything about Julia Child in mainstream media. I feel she has been pushed off the land of PBS since the FN has come about. I like FN just fine, - but, Julia was the First!

[duckduck]

I think movies about Julia could be really cool but Julie & Julia? That's the first thing coming out? Nooo way. Blog girl already had her 15 minutes of fame. Like it wasn't enough to read about the maggots under her fridge. Now we get to see them too? I won't waste my time or money seeing this one.

[mnosyne]

What? Not Dan Ackroyd!

[meginAB]

HAHAHA - good one

[Phaedrus]

Dang it! You beat me to it!

[Glencora]

I thought Joan Cusack was going to do it.

[Chowpatty]

Joan Cusack looks much more like Julia, but I think Streep can pull it off too. As far as I know, this is the first blog to ever become a feature film!
http://eatingla.blogspot.com/2007/10/...

[Suzieg]

I just read in another post that there are 2 movies, the other with Joan Cusak - more biographical, not the Julie & Julia story. So, I guess next year will be the Year of Julia in the theaters - yeah!

[dagoose]

Yeah, it is a movie of Julie and Julia, if you have read the book.

[Suzieg]

Is the movie a bio about Julia? I think Meryl would be superb, especially playing her over her entire lifetime. If just playing her in later years (and if they could add a foot in height) I think Patricia Routledge - british actress of Keeping Up Appearances fame (although I've seen her in many other progams too) Patricia has that twinkle in her eye!

[sheilal]

It's about a secretary who tries to cook all the dishes in Child's famous "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" . I don't know the plot or how prominent Streep will be in it. Here's the link to the article.

http://www.variety.com/VR1117975130.html

You're right about Routledge. She would be great as well.

[rouxmaker]

I read the book (loved it) but Julia Child wasn't a character. Sounds like the movie will have Julie channel her as she attempts to follow the recipes.

[Beach Chick]

That Bucket woman would be perfect as Julia in the later years...

[Mawrter]

Ooh, yes indeed!

<trills: The Bookay residence, the lady of the house speaking>