Anne Hathaway almost wasn't in The Devil Wears Prada

Devil Wears Prada Office Work

published 29 June 2016

Oh, how things were nearly so very, very different...

The Devil Wears Prada is one of our favourite fashion films of all time. Yes, we work in fashion publishing, so we’re kind of the intended target audience, but even if we weren’t - watching Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly taking down her staff with her acerbic tongue makes us feel infinitely better about life. Having a crap day in the office? Go home, stick it on, and be thankful you don’t have this as a boss…

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It’s been 10 years since The Devil Wears Prada was first released, and on the anniversary Anne Hathaway, star of the film, has just revealed a bombshell.

The 33-year-old actress told Variety that despite getting phenomenal reviews for her role as journalist newbie Andy in the film - and strengthening the resolve of thousands of fashion interns along the way - she was in fact not the casting directors first choice for the film.

‘I didn’t have to audition. I had to be patient. I wasn’t the first choice,’ she said. So who was? Who did the powers that be want as Andy?

Rachel McAdams, apparently. Yes, the film we have come to know and love, could have looked very different indeed, much like these huge blockbusters who's original casting choices were inspired to say the least...

Rachel was either unavailable/didn’t want it/attached to another film/missed the voicemail (we’re guessing), but when Anne finally got the news that she had the part, she was pretty happy. ‘I was putting on a shirt. I had some buddies over. I remember running out in my living room, half dressed, screaming— “I got The Devil Wears Prada! I got The Devil Wears Prada!”’

And so, history was made.

Holly Rains is the digital editor of Marie Claire UK. She has over 10 years journalism experience, working as an editor and writer, specialising in digital media, content strategy and dog breeds. Prior to Marie Claire, she has held senior staff positions at ELLE UK, Grazia and Company magazine.

Holly is a frequent speaker, panelist and interviewer on a range of subjects including media trends, careers and entertainment. From working with Reuters to provide global red carpet coverage for events like the BAFTAs, to discussing fashion and beauty trends on network TV, she was also the host of the Marie Claire series ‘Holly’s First Dates’, where she regularly interviewed a mix of inspiring woman and A-list celebrities (including Jack Black, Dakota Fanning and Renée Zellweger) - a series which garnered half a million views in its first two months. And was approved by The Rock.

Her love of office-based meetings means that the days of discovering the melting point of Cadbury's Flakes are long gone, but when she isn't dreaming of scheduling in meetings, she likes to think about social media, and how best to avoid it whilst still retaining the title of 'digital' editor. She also likes learning about emerging technology, Influencers and how to become a Financially Responsible Adult.

Contact Holly: holly.rains@futurenet.com

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