Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts to Play in 'August: Osage County'
A-list actresses Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts have been confirmed to appear in the upcoming film "August: Osage County" as mother and daughter.
The highly anticipated adaptation of Tracy Letts' play "August: Osage County" is said to begin production this fall, according to the film's production company, The Weinstein Company.
Streep and Roberts will portray the mother-daughter roles of Violet Weston and Barbara Fordham, respectively, in the family drama.
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The Oscar-winning actresses will appear onscreen together for the first time in " August: Osage County." Roberts expressed her enthusiasm about the upcoming project in a statement.
"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," gushed Roberts.
When the three-act play opened on Broadway in 2007, it was heralded as one of the greatest American plays. Letts' play went on to earn a Pulitzer Prize as well as a Tony Award.
On board as director of the film is John Wells who has helmed "Shameless," "The West Wing," "ER," and most recently, Ben Affleck's drama "The Company Men."
"I'm delighted and feel very privileged to have the opportunity to direct Meryl and Julia in this magnificent piece written by Tracy Letts," said Wells.
He added, "Meryl's extraordinary body of work made her the only conceivable choice to play Violet. Coupled with Julia's effortless mastery of every role she undertakes and her fearlessness as an actress, I'm confident this first ever collaboration with Meryl and Julia will produce an exciting and moving film."
"August: Osage County" follows women in the Weston family who have grown apart from one another, but return to their house in the Midwest after a family crisis.
The play was optioned by The Weinstein Company shorty after it premiered on stage.
"I've loved the writing since I was given a 240-page script for a three-hour play that starred nobody, that had no workshop," said Weinstein at the time, according to The Guardian.
"My reaction was similar to the feeling I had when I read Quentin Tarantino's script for 'True Romance.' Tracy [Letts] has that kind of voice."
