Meryl Streep is more than just an actress; she is a cinematic institution. With a career spanning over four decades, she has inhabited characters that have defined generations of film.
In a recent deep-dive with Vanity Fair, the three-time Academy Award winner sat down to rewatch scenes from her most beloved movies;
from the sun-drenched (and rain-soaked) sets of Mamma Mia! to the high-stakes fashion world of The Devil Wears Prada.
Here are the most surprising behind-the-scenes secrets Meryl shared about the movies we love.
1. The "Mamma Mia!" Paradox: Sun, Spandex, and Floods
While Mamma Mia! looks like a perpetual summer vacation, the reality was anything but. Streep revealed that the film was shot during the rainiest summer in London's history.
"We would go to work and open the door to the Pinewood Studio and there would be Greece and sunshine... while Oxford was underwater," Streep recalled.
Fun Fact: Pierce Brosnan was reportedly terrified of walking to the set in his tight spandex, fearing he’d run into Daniel Craig (who was filming James Bond nearby) and be "humiliated."
2. The Danger of "Out of Africa"
The famous hair-washing scene with Robert Redford remains one of the most romantic moments in cinema history. However, Meryl notes that Redford actually had to be taught how to wash hair by her makeup artist!
The romance was also interrupted by real-world danger. While filming in the river, the crew had to beat a "hasty retreat" when a group of hippos—Africa’s most dangerous animals—began to approach the actors.
3. "Death Becomes Her": Goldie Hawn’s Tardiness and VFX Struggles
Long before modern CGI, Death Becomes Her used grueling practical effects. Meryl described the process of wearing green spandex suits and being poked with pins as "excruciating."
She also touched on her "beef" with co-star Goldie Hawn. While Goldie was notoriously late to set—often driving herself in a red convertible—Meryl admits she couldn't stay mad. "She’s so adorable... she’s one of my buddies."
4. Robert De Niro’s "Cool" Composure in "The Deer Hunter"
Filming The Deer Hunter involved a sweltering 106-degree trailer in West Virginia. Streep remembers "sweating buckets" while her makeup team tried to keep her hair puffy. Meanwhile, Robert De Niro—true to his legendary reputation—didn't break a single sweat.
Streep also offered a poignant tribute to John Cazale, noting that his intense listening skills and "20 questions" approach to acting provided her with lifelong lessons in the craft.
5. Miranda Priestly in a Social Media World
Returning to the world of The Devil Wears Prada, Streep reflected on how the character of Miranda Priestly would navigate today's "destabilized" media landscape. In a world where social media directs our lives, Miranda’s authority is "under siege."
Meryl’s takeaway on revisiting these roles as a veteran of the industry? "I’m older and I don't probably give as many f***s as I used to."
Video summarize by AI