Meryl Streep: Age should not be portrayed as a horrifying thing

Los Angeles - Meryl Streep believes women are demonised for growing old.

The 65-year-old actress claims she turned down a number of parts in which she was asked to play a witch when she was in her 40s because she doesn't like the idea of women being portrayed as "horrifying" for growing older.

Quizzed on why she'd agreed to play a witch in Into the Woods at a press conference for the film at the Corinthia London hotel, she said: "Because I felt it was age appropriate, I thought it was the right time. I didn't think it was the right time at 40.

"Also, I just had a political sort of reaction against the concept of witches ... Of older women being demonised and age being this horrifying, scary thing.

"I just didn't go for that. I didn't like it when I was a little girl and I don't like it now."

The Devil Wears Prada star is transformed from a crooked, vindictive hag of a witch into a stunning bombshell when a spell is lifted in the film but she's confessed she felt more comfortable looking haggard.

She shared: "I actually preferred it before the transformation, interestingly. The one who transforms had a lot of make up."

Into The Woods is set for release worldwide later this week.