Meryl Streep to Star as Opera Diva Florence Foster Jenkins; Hugh Grant to Co-Star

BWW reported earlier in the month Meryl Streep is currently in negotiations to star as American-born opera singer Florence Foster Jenkins in an upcoming film. Today, Deadline reports that Streep is indeed attached to play the title role as the opera diva who was known for her having legions of fans, despite the fact that she was unable to hit a high note. It remains unclear whether opera-goers showed up for her performances out of adoration for the singer or a strong desire to get a good laugh.

The site also reports that Hugh Grant will portray her partner and manager St Clair Bayfield, described as "an aristocratic English actor who was determined to protect Florence from the [hugh grant] truth that while the voice she heard in her head was beautiful, to everyone else it was hilariously awful."

Stephen Frears, who will helm the project with a script by script by Nicholas Martin.

Streep has appeared on Broadway in Happy End, The Cherry Orchard, Secret Service, and Trelawny of the Wells, as well as off-Broadway's Wonderland in Concert and Alice in Concert.

The actress' upcoming film projects include Rob Marshall's film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical Into the Woods, The Homesman, and The Good House. Her past movie credits include Hope Springs, The Iron Lady, It's Complicated, Julie & Julia, Doubt, Mamma Mia!, The Devil Wears Prada, The Hours and many more.

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