Meryl Streep & Jeff Bridges team for Great Hope Springs

The Wrap has the exclusive rumor that Mike Nichols may be interested in directing Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges in Great Hope Springs, a dramedy involving a couple whose marriage is on the rocks. Earlier today we had multiple tips from some of our most reliable tipsters that the casting news had been announced on Playlist:

Written by television writer Vanessa Taylor (“Everwoord,” “Alias”) the film follows a couple who attend an intense counseling session over a weekend in order to decide the fate of their marriage. According to Production Weekly, the couple is said to be “middle-aged,” but we’re guessing the roles have been re-written slightly to match the 61 year old Streep and Bridges. It’s also been reported that Philip Seymour Hoffman was in line to play Dr. Field but that scheduling issues — most likely with Paul Thomas Anderson’s untitled religious film and a directing gig at the Sydney Theater Company starting in October — will likely find the role going to someone else.

Interesting. But frankly my excitement waned when I saw Playlist was also reporting Jessie Nelson might be directing. Nothing against Mr. Nelson — if you liked I Am Sam or Corrina, Corrina — but it takes more than casting Hollywood royalty to pull a great movie together. Mike Nichols apparently had the same thought, and perhaps the opportunity to work with Streep and Bridges has motivated him to throw his hat in the ring. On the other hand, The Wrap checked with CAA, which represents Nichols, Streep and Bridges, but couldn’t get confirmation that any of them are in negotiations for the film.