Meryl Streep is reportedly set to portray legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell in an upcoming biopic directed by Cameron Crowe.
The project has been in development for a long time and is described as a deeply personal film for Crowe, who has known Mitchell for decades and first interviewed her in the late 1970s. According to reports, Meryl Streep will play Mitchell in her later years, focusing on her reflections, creativity, and enduring influence on music and culture.
The news of Streep playing the artist in the biopic was confirmed by music mogul Clive Davis, ending years of speculation about who could possibly capture the spirit of one of the most complex artists in history.
Meryl Streep to play Joni Mitchell in an untilted biopic by Cameron Crowe
The long-awaited Joni Mitchell biopic is finally taking shape with Meryl Streep set to portray the legendary singer-songwriter in Cameron Crowe’s new film.
Joni Mitchell became the defining voice of the 1970s folk-rock movement. Known for her poetic lyrics and unique guitar tunings, she wrote some of the most famous songs of the 20th century, including Both Sides Now, Big Yellow Taxi, and A Case of You. Her 1971 album, Blue, is widely considered one of the greatest records of all time.
Cameron Crowe, known for music-centric films such as Almost Famous and Jerry Maguire, has been quietly developing this project for several years, working closely with Mitchell on its direction. Crowe and Mitchell first began discussing the film around 2023, building both its structure and tone through ongoing conversations.
Mitchell’s blessing and input have been key parts of the project’s evolution, helping shape a story that is intended to be personal and reflective, told “from her perspective” rather than as a distant or sensationalized biopic.
At present, Meryl Streep is confirmed to play Joni Mitchell in her later years, capturing the depth and wisdom of the artist after decades of songwriting and performing. Reports also link Anya Taylor-Joy to a potential role as Mitchell in her younger years during the height of her creative powers in the 1960s and 1970s, though this casting has not officially been confirmed.
Director Crowe has spent years collaborating directly with the folk icon to ensure the film avoids the usual Hollywood clichés. He emphasized that the project is an intimate, firsthand journey into her creative soul, stating:
“It’s Joni’s life, not [seen] through anybody else’s prism. It’s through her prism. It’s the characters who impacted her life that you know and a lot that you don’t know. And the music is so cinematic.”
The project featuring Meryl Streep in the lead role, does not yet have an official title or release date, and is still in pre-production phase.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Edited by Suchita Patnaha
