14/01/2011

Principal photography will commence in January on director Phyllida Lloyd’s take on the former British Prime Minister’s dotage, The Iron Lady.

Award-winning actress Meryl Streep will portray the British leader. British writer Abi Morgan (Brick Lane [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) has written the script that focuses on Margaret Thatcher’s later years as she combats retirement and poor health and reflects on some important moments of her political career.

Jim Broadbent (Another Year [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Mike Leigh
film profile]) will play her husband Denis and Olivia Colman (Tyrannosaur [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) their daughter Carol.

The Iron Lady will be Lloyd’s first film after global box office smash Mamma Mia! [+see also:
trailer
film profile] The film has run into controversy before the shoot, with Thatcher’s family members reportedly upset about its content, describing it as “some Left-wing fantasy.”

The project’s £13m budget is financed by Pathé, Film4 and the UK Film Council. Pathé Managing Director Cameron McCracken said, “It is a film about power and the price that is paid for power. In that sense, it is the story of every person who has ever had to balance their private life with their public career.”