Los Angeles, Feb 3 (.) Meryl Streep is set to portray legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell in filmmaker Cameron Crowe’s long-gestating biographical project, bringing renewed momentum to a film that has been quietly taking shape for several years.
The casting choice was confirmed by record executive Clive Davis on Saturday, January 31, during his annual pre-Grammy party at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, according to Rolling Stone.
Rumors of Streep’s involvement first surfaced in July 2024, with the Oscar-winning actor expected to play Mitchell. Anya Taylor-Joy has been rumored to be a younger version of the artist, though that casting has not been confirmed. That personal connection has shaped the film’s development, with the director working closely with Mitchell to ensure the narrative reflects her own voice and lived experience rather than a distant interpretation of her fame, reports San Francisco Chronicle.
Crowe has described the biopic as deeply personal, noting Mitchell’s meticulous archive of her own life. “She’s kept all of her costumes, all of her clothes, all of her instruments,” he said. “She’s even still the landlady of her famous house in Laurel Canyon.”
Mitchell, a central figure of the West Coast folk-rock movement and a longtime presence in California’s music scene, was honored by SFJazz with a lifetime achievement award in 2014.
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