First Look: Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher

Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher

With Superman currently being played by a Brit, it’s only fair trade that one of Britain’s best-known politicians would be portrayed by Yankee, right? Acting goddess Meryl Streep is steeling up to play former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, the new film directed by Mamma Mia‘s Phyllida Lloyd about the run-up to the Falklands War. Today, we see the first photo of Streep as Maggie. Oscar winner Jim Broadbent, who has been cast as Margaret’s husband Denis, previously stated that Streep’s portrayal of the controversial leader would be “sympathetic,” and the today’s newly released snap presents a softer Iron Lady — although, there is a wild-eyed toothiness that does suggest some humorous possibilities.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of Streep as Thatcher and the real Iron Lady via The Daily Telegraph.

Here’s some video of Ms. Thatcher. Streep seems to capture her essence.