Update! Seems Streep’s even against remaking Dudley Moore classics, THR reports that Helen Mirren has signed on to play the role of Arthur’s (Russell Brand) “long time Nanny” (as opposed to valet) in the upcoming remake. The original movie starred Dudley Moore as Arthur, a boozy playboy who is set to inherit a fortune if he marries an heiress his family thinks will make something out of him. But he falls in love with a working-class woman and turns to his valet (Gielgud) for help when his family makes him choose between money and love. The movie is eyeing a July start in New York.

Here’s the Original Story…

Meryl Streep to be Sir John Gielguld to Russell Brand’s Arthur?

Yeah, I had to check it wasn’t April 1st, too!

Being that it’s only Feb, such news can only mean it’s time to grab the shottie and head to the production office! Who’s with me!? C’Mon!? Anyone..?

Well, seems… I’m old, likely the only one that has a soft spot, is let alone acquainted, with “Arthur” – and doesn’t want to see another 80s classic soiled by an 18-year-beancounter with Rolling Stone covers in his eyes.

So I digress….

(Look, so long as they have Christopher Cross do the music, I’ll be quiet)

We all know Russell Brand (“Get him to the Greek”, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) is headlining a remake of the Dudley Moore/Liza Minelli ‘classic’ “Arthur”. What hasn’t been reported is who’s set to play Arthur’s dependable butler, Hobson?

According to Showbiz411, Oscar Winner Streep is top of the list to play the drunk Brit’s right-hand, er, woman. As columnist Roger Friedman points out, the “Mamma Mia!” star is 20 years younger than Gieguld was when he played Hobson, so chances are Streep may pass on the project for that reason.

Watch this Space.