Meryl Streep often speaks about the approach she usually takes to prepare for an acting role: thorough research. However, she did once attempt the ‘method acting’ technique before giving it up right away. It happened when the three-time Oscar winner was portraying the dreadful fashion magazine boss, Miranda Priestly in the 2006 movie The Devil Wears Prada.
The role of Miranda was modeled after the notoriously demanding and strict editor-in-chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour. Streep employed method acting while portraying Miranda, living the part even when off camera.
It goes without saying that the actress became a Hollywood icon as a result of the movie The Devil Wears Prada. But, this 2006 smash hit movie had a number of issues while being produced.
Meryl Streep also was said to have predicted the movie would be successful after reading the script, but a small act of disrespect nearly caused her to walk away from the classic.
Meryl Streep Almost Left The Devil Wears Prada For This Reason
Meryl Streep, 74, invited director David Frankel, producer Wendy Finerman, and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna to her apartment as soon as she decided to play the lead in The Devil Wears Prada. Also, take note of the fact that the movie was an adaptation of the best-selling book by Lauren Weisberger.
She was excited about the possibility of accepting the role because the script was strong, but Fox’s offer did not adequately account for the real value she would have added to the production. Thus, she considered that to be a little disrespectful.
According to the actress, who spoke exclusively with Variety, she almost turned down the movie because of the pay as the three-time Oscar winner recalled:
“The offer was to my mind slightly, if not insulting, not perhaps reflective of my actual value to the project. There was my ‘goodbye moment,’ and then they doubled the offer. I was 55, and I had just learned, at a very late date, how to deal on my own behalf.”
Also, Streep wanted to make sure Miranda was a real person and not just a stereotype.
“I am not sure the movie celebrates her as much as appreciates her business accomplishments. It’s hard to run a big company like that.”
The Devil Wears Prada Also Welcomed Two Other Actresses
Along with renowned actress, Meryl Streep, there were two other actresses who were set to play the lead roles in The Devil Wears Prada.
The film established Streep as one of Hollywood’s most bankable actresses, and she is now regarded as one of the most prolific actors. This film gave Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway breakout roles, propelling them to the next level in their careers.
Blunt played Emily Charlton as a co-assistant and had enormous success; it was her breakthrough role, which was sure to boost her Hollywood career. She was taken aback by the film’s success as she stated,
“I never had any idea that my lines would get quoted to me every single week of my life since the movie has come out.”
Meanwhile, Hathaway believed the universality of “Prada’s” story about a demanding boss contributed to the film’s appeal.
“Everybody has had an experience like this.”
Rachel McAdams repeatedly declined Anna Hathaway’s role (Andrea ‘Andy’ Sachs), according to The Devil Wears Prada director. Since Hathaway was perfect in the role of Andy, McAdams’ rejection was actually a blessing in disguise.
Hence, almost everyone involved used The Devil Wears Prada as a stepping stone to their respective careers.
Well, despite having a $41 million budget, the movie made over $326 million worldwide, ranking it as the 12th highest-grossing movie of 2006.
Source- Variety
