Streep as Thatcher and Penn in surfer biopic

(AFP/CHIP SOMODEVILLA)

Meryl Streep plans to portray the former British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, in the biopic Thatcher.

The Oscar winner will reteam with Mamma Mia! director Phyllida Lloyd. Actor Jim Broadbent is considering the role of her husband, Denis. The story is set in 1982 during the period when Thatcher mounted the 1982 Falklands War.

This marks another portrait of a real person for Streep after performing the roles of activist Karen Silkwood, author Susan Orlean and French chef Julia Child.

Sean Penn will produce and act in a biopic about surfing icon Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz, who was the subject of the documentary Surfwise. The former medical doctor turned surfer, now aged 89, who traveled with his family as he chased the perfect wave, agreed to Penn portraying him.

In Penn's first film he played surfer Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, which launched his career in 1982.

Last seen in Milk, Penn stars in Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life with Brad Pitt due out in December.

RC