Meryl Streep to play Margaret Thatcher

Meryl Streep may be on her way to a 17th Oscar nomination playing former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. Jim Broadbent would play Thatcher’s husband, Denis, in a coproduction being developed by Path√© and BBC Films. THR has the exclusive report:

The film is set in 1982 and tracks Thatcher as she tries to save her career in the 17 days preceding the 1982 Falklands War. The 2 1/2-month war was a turning point for the prime minister, who, after the victory, saw her approval ratings double and went on to win a second term.

Producer Damien Jones (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll) and BAFTA TV nominee Brian Fillis have written the script. Wiki fills in the historical details:

On 2 April 1982, the ruling military junta in Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, British overseas territories that Argentina claimed. The following day, Thatcher sent a naval task force to recapture the islands and eject the invaders. The conflict escalated from there, evolving into an amphibious and ground combat operation. Argentina surrendered on 14 June and the operation was hailed a great success… Victory in the South Atlantic brought a wave of patriotic enthusiasm and support for the government. Thatcher’s personal approval rating rose from 30% to 59%… Conservative support climbed from 27% to 44%, while Labour’s slipped from 34% to 27%.

Phyllida Lloyd, who shepherded Mamma Mia! on both stage and screen, will reteam with Streep to direct the Thatcher biopic.