As one of the greatest actresses of her time, Meryl Streep raises the bar to an almost unreachable level. Her ability to throw herself into every role and become the character is downright eerie, making her a pretty intimidating adversary.
However, Streep won't be able to grace the silver screen forever – as much as we would like to think otherwise – so it's only fitting to look to the next generation of actresses for the requisite talent and dedication to become the next Meryl Streep. Of course, no one will ever be able to match Streep's brilliance, but there are a few young ladies who have the potential to at least follow in her footsteps. And boy, are they sizable footsteps.
Jessica Chastain
Chastain has quickly become one of the most in-demand and versatile actresses in Hollywood. She’s an astounding up-and-comer, if you will. She was in seven films in 2011 alone and she continues to take great strides in both popularity and her craft. Like Streep, she throws herself into her roles, transforming into an entirely different person every time she hits the screen. Whether she's playing a ditzy, blonde bombshell in The Help or Brad Pitt's compassionate wife in The Tree of Life, Chastain brings raw, fresh talent to each film . Her characters are genuine and relatable, yet completely distinct from one another. No typecasting is needed for this girl. She’s what you might call a chameleon.
Kate Winslet
Winslet immediately became an international star after playing Rose DeWitt Bukater in James Cameron's classic film, Titanic in 1997. Her heart-wrenching performance alongside Leonardo DiCaprio made men and women, alike, fall in love with her, and that love has only continued to grow. Though that performance garnered a Best Actress nomination from the Academy, she didn't let it pigeonhole her. In fact, she continues to challenge herself throughout her prosperous career. While she occasionally dabbles in lighter films such as The Holiday,she also takes on more serious, period pieces, like playing the Marquis de Sade's chambermaid and accomplice in Quills. And those films predated her highly-praised roles in The Reader and the HBO miniseries, Mildred Pierce. Indeed, much like Streep, Winslet seems to cross genres with ease, never shying away from the challenge to play more complex characters. She adds an extra layer of emotion and intrigue to each role, making believers of her audience – a true Meryl quality if there ever was one.
Natalie Portman
To describe Portman’s talents in a word: authentic. And this quality has undoubtedly elevated her industry caliber. Similarly to Winslet, Portman also shows incredible versatility in each role she plays. One minute she's off to a galaxy far, far away in the Star Wars remakes, and the next minute she's portraying the painstakingly dark struggles faced by professional ballet dancers in Black Swan. She even went so far as to actually shave her head for the film V For Vendetta. Most young, attractive actresses wouldn't be caught dead going bald for any role, yet Portman did so willingly, making her performance all the more convincing. And you can guarantee Meryl would've done the same exact thing had she been in a similar situation.
Michelle Williams
Emulating a real life, iconic figure is never easy. Since audiences already know the person, they come into the movie with a certain level of expectation. It's an undertaking not all actresses are willing to bear, yet Williams rose to the challenge, playing the famous Marilyn Monroe in Simon Curtis' My Week With Marilyn. Her transformation into the blonde beauty is remarkable and very reminiscent of Streep’s ability to morph into any and all characters she takes on -- most recently in her dazzling portrayal of political icon Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. Dedication is key, and Williams has it in spades. She even wove the character into her home life, reading bedtime stories to her daughter in a Marilyn Monroe voice to keep herself in character. It’s clear Williams has what it takes to go far in this business.
Charlize Theron
The great thing about Theron is her fearlessness. As gorgeous as she is, she'd have no trouble jumping from one romantic comedy to the next, playing the standard part of the pretty girl hoping to find love, but instead, she dives into strong, intriguing characters. Her Academy Award-winning role in Patty Jenkin's film, Monster, is a prime example. Not only did Theron deliver a phenomenal performance as a mentally-unhinged prostitute, but she also agreed to undergo a huge transformation for the role, gaining weight, partially shaving her perfect eyebrows, and even frying and thinning her hair. Sure, she could have demanded a fat suit and wig, but like Streep, Theron takes her craft seriously. She strove to go through it herself in order to better understand the character's journey. And, of course, she’s a huge draw for the upcoming Snow White and the Huntsman.Her portrayal of the Evil Queen is enticing; between her sinister glares and chilling voice, she alone makes the trailer worth watching repeatedly. If Theron keeps stretching her abilities like this, we could very well have a Meryl 2.0 on our hands.