Meryl Streep To Play Joni Mitchell In The Singer's Biopic, Here's What We Know

The Devil Wears Prada fame Meryl Streep is all set to star in the Joni Mitchell documentary as 'Joni Mitchell'. The much-awaited announcement was made by the music mogul, Clive Davis, himself during his pre-Grammy bash in Los Angeles on January 31, 2026. Rumours about Meryl Streep's casting had been in the news since 2024, but there was no confirmation from Meryl or any of the crew members. 

News about the biopic on Joni Mitchell comes at a time when the audience cannot wait for Sam Mendes’s ‘four-film cinematic event’ that is about each of the members of The Beatles, films about the life and about Michael Jackson, Madonna, Snoop Dogg, the Bee Gees, Anthony Bourdain and Fred Astaire are all in the works too. Although the biopic has no official title yet, the production of the biopic is in work and has been made official.

What do we know about the Joni Mitchell documentary as of now?

There is little information available given to the media about the biopic, but one casting that has been confirmed is that Oscar-winning actress, Meryl Streep will be playing 'Joni Mitchell' herself. Cameron Crowe confirmed the news in a statement to Rolling Stone after Clive Davis announced it at his pre-Grammy bash in the presence of Joni Mitchell. Anya-Taylor Joy is supposedly being considered for playing Joni’s younger self, but there is no confirmation of her being cast in the biopic as of yet. 

Crowe assured the press that the documentary will not be made through the words and impressions of Joni on a third party, but through her own words and her own journey. Joni is actively participating in crafting the biopic, and it will have her own perspective and life story. Commenting on this, Crowe said: 

“It’s Joni’s life, not [seen] through anybody else’s prism,” “It’s through her prism. It’s the characters who impacted her life that you know and a lot that you don’t know. And the music is so cinematic.” 

When did rumours of Meryl Streep being cast as 'Joni' and Anya-Taylor Joy as Joni's younger self begin?

Rumours about Meryl Streep playing Joni Mitchell had been circulating since 2024, with Anya-Taylor Joy rumoured to play the musician’s younger self. When asked for a comment on the same, Director Crowe referred Rolling Stone to Clive’s announcement; however, a representative from Meryl’s streep declined to comment, and so did the representative from Mitchell’s team. Although the film has been in discussion for half a decade, it is less likely to hit the cinemas atleast until 2028 and maybe even later.

Joni Mitchell is actively involved in the making of her biopic with friend and director Cameron Crowe 

Crowe and Mitchell have known each other for a long time and have been working on the project for four years. In 1979, Crowe interviewed Mitchell for Rolling Stone, and the two developed a strong friendship, which thus began Crowe’s recreation of Mitchell's biopic. Crowe also spoke during an interview that Joni has kept all of her iconic costumes, her instruments, clothes and is the landlady of her famous house in Laurel Canyon till today.  In an interview in October 2025 on The Late Show, Crowe said:

 “We’ve been working on it for about four years. We have regular meetings where I can ask her anything and she speaks with her heart about all kinds of stuff. It’s a movie that will be not from a distance… This is from her perspective, her life, looking out,”

What makes Meryl Streep the ultimate choice to play Joni Mitchell in her biopic?

Meryl Streep is known to be a powerful, intimidating actress who has done some great work and portrayed some really strong, inspiring characters throughout her journey. She is well-respected and an icon of the Hollywood industry. Some of Meryl’s decorated roles include 'Julia Child', ‘Margaret Thatcher', ‘Emmeline Pankhurst’, ‘Miranda Priestly’, and others. Meryl's defining screen presence, enigmatic personality, and ability to immerse herself in the roles she has been cast in make her the perfect fit to play 'Joni Mitchell' in her biopic.

Meryl is also set to star in the sequel to her most hit film The Devil Wears Prada alongside Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt, in May, 2026. Meryl has earned 21 Oscars to her name, along with an Emmy Award for a mini series titled Holocaust, Academy Award for her role in Sophie’s Choice. She also won the Cannes Film Festival and New York Film Critics’ Circle awards for best actress for her moving performance in A Cry in the Dark, released in 1988. 

What do you think about Meryl Streep's casting in the Joni Mitchell Biopic?

Also Read: Meet Mary Carillo, Veteran Sports Presenter Replacing Savannah Guthrie For Olympics Opening Ceremony

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)