Why Anne Hathaway Was Nearly Passed Over for Her Breakout Role in 'The Devil Wears Prada'

Anne Hathaway wasn’t the studio’s first pick for The Devil Wears Prada, and she might have missed the role if Meryl Streep hadn’t stepped in.

With all the buzz surrounding the upcoming "The Devil Wears Prada" sequel, it’s a good time to look back at how Anne Hathaway actually landed the role that made her a star. The part of Andy Sachs wasn’t handed to her easily — in fact, Hathaway had to fight hard just to be considered.

She Wasn’t the Studio’s First Choice

At the film’s 15th anniversary reunion interview with Entertainment Weekly in June 2021, Hathaway shared that she was far down the list of actresses being considered. On "RuPaul’s Drag Race," she even put a number to it, admitting, “I was the ninth choice for Devil Wears Prada.”

The studio originally wanted an actress with more dramatic experience, not someone coming off teen-focused films like "The Princess Diaries." According to the filmmakers, other names were floated early, including Rachel McAdams, Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Kate Hudson, and Kirsten Dunst.

Director David Frankel confirmed how far the studio went to court McAdams. “We offered it to Rachel McAdams three times,” he said, adding that McAdams repeatedly declined. “The studio was determined to have her, and she was determined not to do it.”

Hathaway Didn’t Give Up

Even with the odds stacked against her, Hathaway pushed for the role. She said the script spoke to her in a way she couldn’t ignore. “It spoke to me. It made me feel,” she recalled when reflecting on her first impression of the story.

Elizabeth Gabler, then president of Fox 2000, remembered Hathaway’s determination clearly. She said Hathaway came to her office, explained why she wanted the role, and even offered notes on the third act.

“Annie never gave up. She never stopped campaigning, calling,” Gabler added. At one point, Hathaway even wrote “Hire me” in an executive’s desk zen garden during a meeting.

Hathaway stayed patient through the whole process. She recalled, “I patiently waited until it was my turn.”

Meryl Streep Helped Seal the Deal

The turning point came when Meryl Streep decided to meet Hathaway. According to Frankel, Streep watched Hathaway’s small but memorable scene in "Brokeback Mountain" and wanted to see her in person.

After their meeting, she called Fox executive Tom Rothman and said, “Yeah, this girl’s great, and I think we’ll work well together.”

That endorsement changed everything.

When Hathaway finally got the call, she didn’t hold back her excitement. She remembered running through her apartment screaming, “I’m going to be in "The Devil Wears Prada!”

Nearly Two Decades Later, She’s Back

Now, almost 20 years later, Hathaway is returning to the role. In 2024, she and Stanley Tucci posted the official announcement for "The Devil Wears Prada 2" on Instagram. A month later, Hathaway confirmed she had started filming by sharing a photo captioned “Andy Sachs 2025.”

The sequel follows Miranda Priestly navigating a changing media landscape, while Emily Charlton has become a powerful executive whose company controls the kind of advertising Miranda needs. The film is set to hit theaters on May 1, 2026.