Meryl Streep really looks like Hillary Clinton in this ^^ photo, right? Right. Anyway, Meryl Streep is a goddess. Obviously. After winning her third Oscar (on her 17th Oscar nomination, the most nominations for an actor ever) in 2012, Meryl could easily just coast for another two decades, just picking up lifetime achievement awards. But that’s not how Meryl rolls. Meryl turns in another Oscar-baity performance this year in August: Osage County, an ensemble film produced by George Clooney and Harvey Weinstein and starring an elite cast of actors including Ewan McGregor, Sam Shepard, Julia Roberts, Chris Cooper and Benedict Cumberbatch. Here’s the trailer again:
Oscar-baity. Ensemble, accents, death, emotion, wry humor. Basically, Harvey will be able to get anyone from this film nominated. And judging by the trailer, who seems to have the lead role? From the trailer, I would say that Meryl and Julia probably have somewhat equal screen time – Meryl’s role might be showier but Julia maybe has more technical screen time? But interestingly enough, Meryl is letting people know ahead of time that she isn’t interested in a Best Actress Oscar nomination. She’ll just take a Supporting Actress nomination, thank you very much.
Get ready for the ultimate diva smackdown at the next Oscars: Meryl Streep (“August: Osage County”) vs. Oprah Winfrey (“The Butler”). Two years after winning Best Actress for “The Iron Lady,” Streep has agreed to drop down to the supporting race for her role as Violet, the pill-popping, booze-swilling momma in “August: Osage County,” a Weinstein Company source tells Gold Derby.
That means Streep will compete against Oprah as the hooch-guzzling wife of the title star of “The Butler,” which is also a Weinstein flick. Hmmm … what is Harvey thinking?
Streep’s move is a shockeroo considering that role won Best Actress at the 2008 Tony Awards when Deanna Dunagan performed it on Broadway. Dunagan beat her costar Amy Morton, who portrayed Violet’s frazzled daughter Barbara. Now Julia Roberts, in the role of Barbara on screen, seems to have a clearer shot at a Best Actress victory without risking a split of “August” votes in that category. Roberts won the Best Actress Oscar in 2000 for “Erin Brockovich.” Oprah has never won an Academy Award, but was nominated in the supporting slot for “The Color Purple” (1985).
Streep has three Oscars: one for supporting (“Kramer vs. Kramer,”1979 ) and two for lead (“Sophie’s Choice” in 1982, “Iron Lady” in 2011). If she pulls off one more victory, she will tie Katharine Hepburn for most wins (four). Streep already holds the record for most nominations (17).
Streep’s gracious move may be good news for Roberts, but it’s rotten luck for “August” costar Margo Martindale, who portrays the role of Violet’s sister Mattie, which won the Tony Award for Best Featured (or Supporting) Actress for Rondi Reed on stage. Now past Emmy champ Martindale (“Justified”) must not only face off against Oprah, but Streep, too.
I think if Harvey is the one pulling the strings and he thinks Julia will have a better shot at an Oscar rather than Meryl… well, Harvey is smoking something. Maybe Harvey will get his way and Meryl will get the supporting nom and Julia will get the lead actress nom, but don’t think for one second that Julia would have a shot at winning another Best Actress Oscar with or without Meryl in the running. I think it’s far more likely that Julia pulled a snit-fit about Meryl’s billing and potential scene-stealing performance and Meryl, ever gracious, made the choice to not make it into a thing. If anything, this makes Meryl look better and Julia look ungracious and diva-like. Because that’s just how Meryl rolls.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
At this point Meryl just has to sneeze to get nominated in whichever category she chooses. But Julia is riding a way of fairly negative PR, which started with her ‘husband-stealing’ moment many years back. She is no longer America’s sweetheart, which will hurt her chances, no doubt.
People outside of the gossip community (which is far smaller than people seem to think) have no inkling of that. And many of those who knew long forgot, it was awhile ago. Even setting all that aside, Julia had a very tabloidy personal life going at her peak, she even managed to win an Oscar irrespective. Americas Sweetheart ran off with her fiances friend 2 days before the wedding and remained the highest grossing actress for a decade, remember?
Having said that, I really hope Harvey pushes the Butler harder. It just seems like the better, more important film to me. Flex your diva muscles Oprah, show Julia whos Boss.
I agree with Tia. And like Julia or not (i’m pretty much indifferent), she has a boat load of charisma. Watch an old interview with her and Letterman. That woman oozes confidence. She can win over the minivan majority in her sleep.
I don’t know, I have a few friends who are card carrying members of the mini van majority and they are turned off Julia after being big fans. I think her PR has taken a hit over the past ten years or so, but she does have charisma and could probably turn the tide a little bit if she got a nomination.
You mean, her fiance cheated with a stripper shortly before the wedding and, what a scandal, instead of just accepting that he sleeps with strippers like a good little wifey she left him, what a b****! Seriously, she might not be nice, but if your fiance sleeps with a stripper shortly before your wedding, in my opinion you are entitled to leave him and if you hook up with his friend as well, well, he really doesn’t have the right to complain after cheating on you.
I second that! I never heard anything negative about Julia Roberts until I started reading this site, and even then, that was from the comments themselves, not the post. I had to google the “Low Vera” tshirt…
Tabloids should start bringing this stuff up….it’d be way more interesting than the crap we got now. It’d be funny if they started a “who went around drunk and pantyless in the 90s” or (my personal favorite selection) “who was the town man ho of the 80s and 90s” (hehehe, my future husband would win for sure) or “reformed party animals: male and female celebrities”…something like that. They should do that. Bring up old shit.
Her fiancé’s side of the sleeping with a stripper thing is that she was sleeping with his best friend.
Which came first? The stripper or the friend?
Virgilia Coriolanus – my favourite scandal from the 90s is Hugh Grant and Eddie Murphy being caught on Sunset Boulevard partaking of the services of ladies of the night….right there. mini-coopering style. It’s also a great lesson in how to handle scandal when you’ve been caught red-handed.
Neither Julia or Oprah has even an ounce of the acting ability Streep does. Harvey did what would get him the most wins period. After all look how he won (cough cough paid off & influenced voters) the Oscar for Jennifer Lawrence last year.
oh please, Meryl could beat Julia any day of the week and twice on Sunday. hopefully Blanchett takes it and Julia trots away with nothing.
+1
Actually, I have heard Cate is amazing in Blue Jasmine. Doesn’t the Academy owe her, too? I hope you are right.
I am def Team Cate. I think she was robbed for Elizabeth.
I agree they do owe Cate. The Oscars are really a lottery though, it all depends who the competition is that year. It’s hard to comment when I haven’t seen the films in consideration, but based on their bodies of work, Cate Blanchett is a far superior actress to Julia Roberts, and its a shame one has an Oscar and the other doesn’t!
Cate Blanchett is owed a best actress award for years. Its amazing she hasnt won it yet.
Cate won best Supporting Actress for the Aviator, so she does have one, but I agree she deserves a Best Actress. Or ten.
I follow the oscars closely and everything points out that the race for the best actress trophy would be between Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine and Judi Dench in Philomena.
yes yes and yes
cate is amazing and overdue
im still completely fascinated that julia has 1 oscar, she doesnt need a second
Ugh…The Academy is just a big game. I mean, Anne Hathaway is TERRIBLE and she has an Oscar. Halle Berry too. Nothing to do with talent in a alot of cases.
Early predictions so far are that she, Cate, is the favorite to win.Keeping my finger crossed for her.
Don’t forget Emma Thompson plays PL Travers in the movie about Disney acquiring the rights to Mary Poppins. Also, Amy Adams has a big role in the David Russell movie (American Hustle I believe). Obviously I haven’t seen these movies yet, but those are pretty big names out there that might be in either the best actress or best supporting actress categories. Nothing is locked up.
Cate has deserved best actress for ages. The fact that she lost to Paltrow when her Elizabeth clearly was the FAR FAR better performance just tells you how political these awards are.
hopefully this year she will win for Jasmine..amazing AMAAAAZING performance.
+2
Oprah? Julia? Ha!
Pretty much and besides cate there is also Julianne Moore that I read kills it in her movie. What someone knew (can’t remember the tittle).
But the idea that Oprah would get a nomination or Julia with Octavia’s performance, Juliane moore’s work cate and I’m sure Amy Adams has something soon.
Sorry Oprah and Julia just don’t have it. That being said I will probably enjoy this movie because as much as I hate Julia Roberts I pretty much enjoy all her movies, not great acting usually although its never bad acting however, her movies are entertaining.
Debbie, if you’re talking about What Maisie Knew, yes, Julianne was great in it. But it was barely seen in theaters, unfortunately, so I don’t know if it will make much impact. It did just come out on DVD though, so I’d recommend watching it, it was sad but good.
a big, big +3
Meryl Streep is God.
What class: if I were in her place and Julia acted the diva, I would pull a “b*tch, please” you wouldn’t believe. Sigh.
Just from the trailer you can see that Meryl is the bomb! She is SO good in everything. Julia Roberts always has the same pinched face in everything and (for me) if I already dislike an actress, I have a really hard time being sympathetic to their character.
I was just going to say—-Meryl is fucking fantastic! I don’t think I’ve ever seen her give a shitty performance. Ever. And she looks and sounds like someone’s grandma in this movie…..she’s amazing.
I was impressed that in the trailer Julia managed not one horse smile or donkey bray. I didn’t know she had it in her.
Seriously, this is Meryl Freaking Streep we’re talking about. As if Julia Roberts would have an iota of a chance going up against her. Give Meryl all the Oscars! 😛
When did I start disliking Julia Roberts so much? From this clip, she is playing the same part she almost always plays these days.
Meryl rules.
Love Meryl, all class.
I agree with the assumption that Julia probably threw a hissy fit over the billing, and Meryl let her have it.
Julia won’t get another Oscar, she’s not talented enough.
She certainly cannot do a non-American accent. Case in point: Mary Reilly.
It doesn’t sound like there’s a whole lot to support that Meryl did this because of Julia. As far as I can tell, no one else is really saying that at all. Honestly, it seems like it was done because Harvey wants all the Oscars possible and knew that Meryl was probably the only person with a fighting chance at beating Oprah.
Some sites were reporting how much Meryl Streep was annoyed by Julia Roberts and her diva-ing (and basically how much everyone on set was irritated by Roberts) during the filming for August: Osage County. Wouldn’t surprise me a bit if Streep was like whatever, get this b gone and out of my life and if this is what it takes, so be it.
Love Meryl. They really should not even be compared to each other. Different league, universe etc. Thought the academy decides who is supporting – not director.
I think this is very strategic on HW’s part and also on MS’s part. Cate Blanchett is going to win the Oscar – I don’t think either Julia or Meryl could beat her. Go see Blue Jasmine. She is brilliant. However, Meryl could win Best Supporting Actress.
I can’t believe I forgot about Cate! But yes, I said something similar upthread. This has zilch to do with attitude and more to do with strategy. Harvey wants all the Oscars; he’ll do what he can to maximize his odds.
I have to watch the movie to decide what I think of Julia’s Oscar worthiness. I wouldn’t write her off just because the readers of this blog don’t like her “personality”….and if Jennifer Lawrence can win an Oscar, anyone can..just saying
Jennifer Lawrence had an incredible amount of momentum going into awards season…levels of momentum that Julia Roberts will probably never see again (I hope).
From early screening of the film, a lot of people have said that Julia is unbelievable in this one.
So she’s nice, humble and self-deprecating then?
Meryl >>>>>>>>> Julia. She doesn’t need to bow down to Julia, I agree w/JB I thought the Academy decided this stuff? Meryl looks to be playing a not very sympathetic/Oscar baity character though(I know she was a bitch in Devil Wears Prada but that was sexy, not frumpy. Nice to see Sam Shephard onscreen again, though he is starting to look his age he’s still hot. The Brits cast in this intrigue me, it kind of looks like a hot mess to me.
I don’t think Julia is the best actress that ever walked but I’d like to think she’s more professional then throwing a snit fit over Meryl, who is her better (talent wise) and someone she should be looking up to. Personally, I think Meryl and Harvey think she has a better chance of winning supporting then best actress and that’s why she’s in the category. Maybe they thought having her and Julia in the same category, they might cancel each other out and neither one gets nominated. I have not seen Blue Jasmine but I am hearing Cate is terrific. It might not matter, the award might already be going to Cate.
It sounds to me Harvey wants to do a Silver Linings Playbook strategy with this and try to get a nomination for an actor in each category. The interesting thing about this is that John Wells (of ER fame) is directing this. I’d love to see him get a director nod.
One I think it’s to early to start deciding who’s winning the Oscar, two I think Harvey wants to saturate every category like he did with last years SLP, three I predict Julia will be living in Marchesca clothing during the awards season and four no one puts Meryl in the corner. Go Cate B.
Oh, this makes me sad for Margo Martindale. She’s been at it for so long and I love her. It would have been nice for her to get the attention of an unexpected Oscar win. Then again, she still probably would have been screwed with Oprah in the mix. Not that I’d mind Oprah winning, given the lack of color in most Oscar races, but she already has so much respect, money and fame. It means more to me to see an underdog (read: largely unrecognized character actor) win.
Okay, I’m rambling and avoiding going to work. Must. Log. Off.
Am I the only one THRILLED to see Juliette Lewis acting, not singing?! YAY!!!!!
Is she still CoS?
Well Harvey has Nicole Kidman and Judi Dench to promote for Best Actress for their films. And Julia`s role is a bit bigger than Meryl`s so it Meryl who will commit the category fraud to get as many people from Harvey`s movies nominated.
Julia Roberts is one giant yawn. She’s a terrible actress. Pretty Woman was good tho.
Maybe Meryl is stepping down to supporting because Cate Blanchett is the heavy favorite? I doubt it has much to do with Julia Roberts. I mean, really.
Of course, it’s still August, and things always change anyway. Early front runners are often swept aside when something else comes along in the winter.
I adore Meryl, but I’ll probably root for Margo. She is an AMAZING actress, anyone who saw her Emmy role on Justified can attest to that. I’m so happy to see her getting more high profile roles, and an Oscar nomination would be an amazing reward for a long career of stellar work.
My biggest take away from this is the band playing throughout the trailer is Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – Man on Fire! Congrats to them! I’ll be watching them perform in 9 days, cannot wait!!
I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure that in the original play upon which this is based, Meryl’s character IS a supporting character and Julia’s is a lead character. Plus, with Julia in a lead category and Meryl in a supporting category, that’s one extra potential award this film could win (and awards = box office)… with both competing in the same category, they could split the vote and NEITHER could win an award. Oscar math.
There was nothing about that trailor that said anyone should be nominated, the performances were average at best, of course at this point that is all Meryl has to do to get a nomination. Meryl is extremely talented there is no doubt but she hasn’t been brilliant in a long time.
Oh and Oprah getting an Oscar nomination really? For playing Oprah no thanks!
Julia doesn’t stand a chance of winning so it’s hard to even care.
Am I the only one who sees this as a potentially genius, yet dangerous move? One of the big named Osage County actors needed to be bumped down to supporting and now the narrative that is going to be pushed by the media and TWC is Meryl vs. Oprah. That’s just genius. 2 Weinstein actresses being campaigned for as locks for the award. Remember what the Meryl vs. Sandra narrative brought about when it arguably should have been anyone, but Sandra. Not knocking the performances of Streep or Winfrey, but It gives the academy an excuse to give out a career award and just locks out the other actresses.
Meryl is a goddess in this industry. Julia is a one time award winner who just got it with luck. To compare the two is like comparing apples and oranges. Meryl will go down in history as being one of the greatest actresses of our time. Julia will be known for…. well when I come up with something notable I’ll let you know.
Teeth
I read the play this summer because honestly, I love the title, and preview makes it seem like it will be a good film. I am not sure, though, after reading the play. The play deals with more than just a presumed suicide of the patriarch, and the ending is never quite resolved. It is a bit twisted and dark, and I think audiences will likely be turned off from the film inspite of how great the cast is (minus Julia Roberts who should never have been cast as Barbara, but when you are buds with Clooney, you get what you want). After Jennifer Lawrence won for Silver Linings Playbook, though, which was HORRIBLE, I have given up all faith in the Oscars. They are now the VH1 movie awards with a better red carpet.
I’ve never understood what Clooney sees in her as an actress (or a person). That friendship has never made any sense to me.
Clooney has cast Cate Blanchett in two of his films so he obviously respects talent. So why does he waste his time (and money) on Julia?
Wow I was really with you until your Silver Linings comment. That was a great movie. I have a son that is Bradley’s character to a t. And Jlaw was brilliant.
Is this the movie where Julia got mad and demanded a bigger trailer than Meryl’s?
The movie looks amazing. I’m really liking this cast.
Judging from this trailer Meryl owns this movie. She also has the best lines!
Julia should learn from Meryl, not to compete with her. For start, she should learn how to be humble, so she could absorb all the professionalism and acting tips/lessons Meryl has to offer.
Julia would end up being a better actress in movies, and an easier actress to work with.
Love Meryl, she brings it and always has.
I’ve read a few articles about Julia’s snitty behavior on set and folks could not wait to be done w/this film because of her.
Nah, Harvey wants the most wins. He knows Judi Dench may give him a BA, so he shuffled Meryl to get a BSA win.
But don’t forget Harvey is also backing fruitvale station (which best be sweeping) and Mandela so it’s not like he needs Oprah or Meryl this year.
Harvey has this year stacked for his business.
I think Oprah has an honorary Oscar.
I just came here to say Meryll is it. No really, she is everything that was and will be great in Hollywood. She should just be in charge of everything. Like, she might be god’s understudy.
@ Gia Sometimes their is no rhyme or reason as to how or why someone wins over somebody else.
Roberts has 0 chance, no one watches her or cares if she acts, plus it seems shes not a very nice person.
Meryl Streep is such a superb actress and an amazing woman. Julia Robert’s doesn’t have the talent to even be a threat to Meryl Streep.
I love, love, love this website but it drives me crazy when the articles are written with only one space put after periods. It’s such a stupid thing but it’s such a pet peeve!!
ETA – I notice it changes the comments to only have one space after a period too! Grrr.
Hahaha I thought it was only me, then my sons told me that is how they teach typing now. I would imagine we are remotely close in ages. 🙂
Julia lost her magic touch a while ago – I think her ‘charm’ started to go when her looks started to fade. She’s like the prom queen, 20 years after high school. At this point, she’s so off-puttinf when she’s doing press that I genuinely wonder if she’ll even pull out a nom (though she’ll def be nominated for a GG). After all, she may not have acted a ton in the last 10 years, but when she has they’ve almost all been ‘misses’, even things like Eat Pray Love, that was supposed tobe a can’t miss.
Streep is hands down the best actress out of these!! Julia can do her share, but she hasn’t got the versatility and skill that Streep has. And Oprah, well, not enough experience there. So there is no contest for me, and for anyone seasoned in films, they all know that Meryl is the most awesome.
But, hey! Dermot Mulroney and Julianne Nicholson! They, Streep, Juliette Lewis…whee!
Cate blanchett is getting that Oscar.
Really? They want to push that for Oscar? I know there are million of celebrities in this movie. But it just looks like… some boring made-for-tv movie. Julia Roberts looks like Julia Roberts. Meryl Streep looks like Meryl Streep. No way I’m gonna watch it. I saw trailer and I don’t give a crap about any of those characters.
Ugh…it’s a Weinstein flick so that means if Julia is nominated for lead actress with out Meryl she’ll probably win…yuck
Meryl Streep bowing out to Julia Roberts is like Tom Brady giving up his spot to Mark Sanchez.
Or Tea-pray hope for a win-bo
I love love love this woman Meryl. Jessica Lang comes in second and the lovely Angelina Jolie third. Meryl for well everything, Jessica for Francis (best movie ever) & she is awesome on AHS, & Angelina well there are just too many reasons, but primarily, she LIVES, this life were were given, no excuses.
If you think Meryl Streep is that nice, you don’t know a thing about Meryl Streep. In your defense, you did say gracious but I struggle applying that attribute as well.
lol, Casting. My favorite role of Meryl Streep is in “The Devil Wears Prada.”. Favorite of Julia Roberts is “Nottinghill”.
This year there is Emma Thompson in Saving Mr Banks. She is to consider in category actress in a leading role: P. L. Travers, autor of Mary Poppins.
Julianne Moore, Toni Collette and Cate Blanchett are all long overdue! Meryl is fantastic – Julia although not terrible, doesn’t hold a candle to those lovely ladies