The quirky characters of Minnesota humorist Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" may be headed for the silver screen.
A cinematic version of the popular radio show is tentatively set to begin shooting in January at the Fitzgerald Theater, with director Robert Altman at the helm, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported Saturday.
Keillor wrote the screenplay — about life backstage at the radio show. The movie is expected to star Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin as a fading sister duet act and Tom Waits and Lyle Lovett as Dusty and Lefty, the singing cowboys.
"Altman and Keillor — that's a happy combination of American masters," said Tony Judge, who is coordinating the project for Prairie Home Productions. "They've become good working partners."