This was part of the Making of 'Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events', there are also some behind the scenes clips. Meryl Streep talks about Aunt Josephine's style and costume. Enjoy!
I’ve read that Meryl Streep auditioned for Dwan from King Kong but didn’t get it since she was deemed to unattractive and it went to Jessica Lange also she was originally supposed to play as Ellen Ripley but she dropped out of the project due to the death of her partner and the role went to Sigourney Weaver
@BethGoth15 Yah! I was hoping the same thing! I thought maybe she survived and swam back into the cave where she went on to grand adventures!...Of course that's just me.
I'm not sure if you've ever seen the deleted scenes for this film, but in the leech sequence, Olaf (Carrey) let's Aunt Jo drift away from his boat further and further, and in the last couple shots, we hear Aunt Josephine apologize to the children right before she and the Baudelaire's sailboat sinks into the swarm of leeches. After it was filmed, however, a test audience said it was too dark and too cruel of a scene to show to young readers of the series, so in the end, it was cut.
Meryl Streep was terrible as Aunt Josephine. She didn't capture the role at all. Many people say she's great, but I personally think she stinks. However, I know that I'm in the minority on this issue.
Personally, I always thought Meryl played the character a bit more coldly than she should have been. In the book, Aunt Jo gives almost this neurotic yet calm grandmotherly vibe, for me, at least. Meryl's Aunt Jo was calm and composed, explaining her fears as rationally as possible (at least rational to her), but she seemed rather cold towards the Baudelaires. Alfre Woodard's portrayal of Aunt Jo captured her warmth and sweetness better, but she played it a little TOO over the top for me. Both actresses have their strengths in the role, but I feel Aunt Jo is a character that is a bit difficult to portray because of her equal parts phobic neurosis and her gentler, sweet side. You either get one or the other, but not both.
Okay why are you on a Meryl fan base then??????????????? you go away you are NOt a fan. Plus Meryl will never read this... she has better things to do offline.
