10 gennaio : Un po' di news!

Meryl Streep is to star in Mamma Mia Meryl Streep is to star in the Hollywood version of the hit stage musical "Mamma Mia". The Oscar winning actress beat off competition from other A-list stars, including Nicole Kidman and Michelle Pfeiffer, to win the coveted role of feisty single mum Donna. Mamma Mia has become one of the most successful musicals of all time and is based on the songs of 1980s Swedish super group Abba. Since its opening in London's West End seven years ago it has been performed in over 130 cities worldwide and taken almost £1bn at the box office. Filming of the Hollywood version will begin later this year in London and Greece. The film is being produced by actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita. Their Playtones production company bought the rights to Mamma Mia soon after it became a hit show in London and later on Broadway in New York. Streep,57, who is an accomplished singer, was always at the top of the wish list of stars for British co-producer Judith Craymer. But Pfeiffer, Kidman and even Kim Basinger were also reported to be in the running for the role. Mamma Mia will be versatile Streep's first full musical, although she has sung in "Postcards from The Edge" and appeared in last year's "A Prairie Home Companion." Streep is tipped for Oscar glory for "The Devil Wears Prada" in which she played a bitchy fashion magazine editor. Mamma Mia tells the story of bride-to-be,Sophie, who has never met her father. She invites three possible candidates to her wedding on a Greek island. The part of Sophie has yet to be cast. The stage show, which opened in London's West End to critical and audience acclaim in 1999, features 22 songs from Abba, including Dancing Queen and Thank You for the Music. Seven years after opening it is still one of the most popular shows in London and in New York is the 24th longest running stage show on Broadway. A version is also staged in Las Vegas. The film's co-producer Judy Craymer devised the stage version and persuaded the Abba duo Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus to take part. Announcing the deal with Streep,57, Craymer told Hollywood trade paper Variety:" She was always at the top of our wish list, and she encapsulates the spirit and energy and has the powerhouse qualities that character requires." Phyllida Lloyd, who directed the original "Mamma" in London as well as on Broadway, will make her feature directing debut on the film. Hollywood musicals in recent years have been a fast track to Oscar success. Catherine Zeta Jones won an Oscar for her role in Chicago and Jennifer Hudson is tipped for an Oscar nod for Dreamgirls which also stars Beyonce and opens in the UK next month.

Basinger to promote Baume & Mercier After Meg Ryan and Kiefer Sutherland, the image of Baume & Mercier watch makers will now be represented by Kim Basinger and Gary Sinise. Kim Basinger and Gary Sinise have accepted the roles of brand ambassadors and were photographed by two renowned artists - Jeff Lipsky and Black Little, according to a Baume spokesman. All of the image rights of the celebrities and photographers have been donated to charitable organisations - environmental protection and the education of underprivileged children, two causes supported by this campaign. The choice of celebrities made by the brand to support this new campaign includes personalities that have something in common with the watch making house; authentic public figures displaying true human qualities who are both easily approachable and close to people., the spokesman added. Meg Ryan and Kiefer Sutherland amply displayed the prerequisites of generosity and spontaneity for this charity campaign in 2005 and Kim Basinger and Gary Sinise will take it forward in 2006-2007.