Meryl Streep to Star in 'Doubt' Film as Sister Aloysius?

According to the New York Post columnist Cindy Adams, Meryl Streep has been cast as the stern Sister Aloysius in the upcoming big screen adaptation of John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Doubt.

With a screenplay and direction by Shanley (who won an Oscar for his Moonstruck screenplay), the film will be produced by Scott Rudin for Miramax.  Shooting will likely begin in fall of 2007.

Streep will play the role originated by Cherry Jones, who currently stars in Doubt's national tour.  Streep is currently up for an Academy Award for her performance in The Devil Wears Prada.  She is a two-time Oscar winner for Kramer vs. Kramer and Sophie's Choice, and has been nominated for an additional 11 Oscars.  Other film credits include The Deer Hunter, Silkwood, Out of Africa, Postcards from the Edge, Heartburn, The Bridges of Madison County and Adaptation.  She was recently cast as Donna in the film version of the Broadway hit Mamma Mia!, as well.  Her many theatre credits include Trelawney of the 'Wells,' The Taming of the Shrew, Happy End, The Cherry Orchard, The Seagull and Mother Courage (she starred in the latter two at the Delacorte Theatre).

Shanley previously stated that there would be considerable filming on location for the movie version of the play, which is set in a Bronx parochial school.  While the play only featured four actors, the film's cast will be expanded to include the black student who has reputedly been sexually abused by Father Flynn.  Other students will also feature as minor characters.

"Set against the backdrop of a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, the show is the story of a strong-minded woman faced with a difficult decision. Should she voice concerns about one of her male colleagues…even if she's not entirely certain of the truth?," stated press notes for the show's Broadway run.

Doubt opened on Broadway on March 9th, 2005 and ran through July 2nd, 2006; it had originally played a hit run at Manhattan Theatre Club.  With a Tony-winning performances by Cherry Jones and Adriane Lenox, and Tony-nominated work by Brian F. O'Byrne, the show won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Play in addition to the Pulitzer Prize.  Doug Hughes won a Tony for directing the play.

Photo of Meryl Streep by Ben Strothmann