Meryl Streep on Playing Madeline Ashton in Death Becomes Her

Initial Role Misunderstanding

• 💡 Meryl Streep initially believed she was being considered for the role of Helen, not Madeline Ashton, in "Death Becomes Her."
• 🎯 She described the other part as a Radcliffe-educated medical writer with snotty friends, contrasting with Madeline's character.

Embracing the Role of Madeline Ashton

• 🎭 Streep called the role of Madeline Ashton, a "failed song and dance girl," a "riot" and a "ball" to play.
• 😅 Despite initial concerns about her dancing ability, she realized that her genuinely bad dancing was fitting for the character.
• 🎭 She enjoyed playing a character who was "unrelentingly evil and mean" with no kindness or compassion.

Working with Co-stars and Director

• ✨ Streep expressed admiration for director Bob Zemeckis's work and had long wanted to work with Goldie Hawn.
• 🤝 She described Bruce Willis as a "wild card" who was "heaven" in the film and a wonderful colleague.
• 💖 She shared great affection for Willis, noting he came in with energy and ideas and allowed her to "beat him up" creatively.

The Nature of Desperate Women

• ⚠️ Streep found it fun to play Madeline Ashton as an "extremely desperate" woman, noting she herself is not desperate.
• 💬 She believes that everything is funnier in hyperbole and enjoyed portraying a character who was not only mean but also "dead."

Experience with Special Effects

• 🎬 "Death Becomes Her" was Streep's first film involving extensive special effects, which she found "extremely tedious" during filming.
• 🤯 While uncomfortable during production, seeing the finished movie was a "gas" and impressive.
• 🔬 She described the process as delicate, requiring quiet movement around an 8-perf camera, likening it to working with lions in Africa.
• 🤩 Despite the technical challenges, she found it rewarding and still marveled at how the effects were achieved, even after being in the film.