After years of planning, it’s official: Meryl Streep is portraying Joni Mitchell in Cameron Crowe’s biopic. Exclusive insights into Mitchell’s archive included.
Now it’s official: Meryl Streep is taking on the role of Joni Mitchell. At his pre-Grammy event in Los Angeles, Clive Davis confirmed that the Oscar winner will play the Canadian songwriter in a Cameron Crowe biopic. Crowe, whose “Almost Famous” is still considered a masterpiece of pop cinema, is pursuing a personal dream with this project. A film that has been speculated about for years is taking shape.
Four decades of connection
The connection between Crowe and Mitchell dates back to 1979. At that time, the music journalist at the time conducted an extensive interview with the singer, only excerpts of which were published.
Cameron Crowe explained on the “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in 2025 that he had been working on the film for four years. However, the idea stayed with him for much longer. He is in regular communication with Joni Mitchell and makes it a point to tell her story from her own perspective. The production can also draw on Mitchell’s private archive. For decades she has kept costumes, instruments and personal items from all phases of her career – a treasure for costume design and on-set production.
A project with a long history
Rumors about a possible Joni Mitchell biopic from Cameron Crowe have been circulating for years. It was repeatedly announced, postponed or rethought without any official confirmation. The interest is now correspondingly great. Crowe’s proximity to the music scene and his long-standing engagement with Mitchell’s work are considered central prerequisites for the implementation.
Casting and first information
Streep will portray Mitchell in her later years. According to rumors, Anya Taylor-Joy could take over as the younger version of the singer, but this has not yet been officially confirmed. The start of production and the theatrical release are still pending.
Joni Mitchell in a film portrait
Joni Mitchell is one of the defining songwriters of the 20th century. Her work moves between folk, jazz and pop and has influenced numerous musicians. In addition to musical development, Crowe plans to address Mitchell’s working methods, her artistic decisions and personal breaks. The film is intended less to tell a classic success story and more to paint a complex portrait of an artist.
