The lead role in the 2006 hit film “The Devil Wears Prada” was famously played by Anne Hathaway, but two other major Hollywood actresses were offered the part before her and declined. Rachel McAdams and Kate Hudson both passed on the opportunity to play Andy Sachs, the aspiring journalist who becomes an assistant to a formidable fashion magazine editor.

This information, long part of Hollywood industry lore, has been confirmed through various interviews with the film’s producers and the actresses themselves over the years. The casting decisions for the iconic role, which helped define a generation of workplace comedies, involved a series of high-profile rejections before the production settled on its eventual star.

Background on the Film’s Development

“The Devil Wears Prada” is based on Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 bestselling novel of the same name, which was loosely inspired by her own experiences as an assistant to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The film adaptation was produced by Fox 2000 Pictures, with David Frankel directing from a screenplay by Aline Brosh McKenna.

The story centers on Andy Sachs, a recent college graduate who lands a job as the junior assistant to Miranda Priestly, the ruthless editor of the fictional *Runway* magazine. Meryl Streep was cast as Miranda, a role for which she received an Academy Award nomination. The search for the right actress to play her naive but determined assistant was a lengthy process.

The Actresses Who Said No

Rachel McAdams was the first choice of the filmmakers for the role of Andy Sachs. At the time, McAdams was experiencing significant career momentum following successful roles in “Mean Girls” and “The Notebook.” According to producer Wendy Finerman in interviews, McAdams turned down the offer multiple times.

Kate Hudson was subsequently approached for the part. Hudson, who had won a Golden Globe for “Almost Famous,” was also a major star in the romantic comedy genre. She too declined the role. The specific reasons cited by each actress have varied in reports; common explanations included scheduling conflicts, a desire to pursue different types of projects, or, in McAdams’s case, a reported wish to take a break from filming.

Anne Hathaway’s Eventual Casting

Following the rejections from McAdams and Hudson, the role was offered to Anne Hathaway. Hathaway, then known for family-friendly films like “The Princess Diaries,” was eager to take on a more mature, complex character. Her performance was widely praised and is considered a career-defining moment, solidifying her transition from teen star to a serious actress capable of leading a major studio film.

The film was a critical and commercial success upon its release in June 2006. It grossed over $326 million worldwide against a $35 million budget and has maintained a strong cultural presence in the years since. The dynamic between Hathaway’s Andy and Streep’s Miranda Priestly remains a frequently referenced archetype in popular culture.

Cultural Impact and Lasting Legacy

The casting “what-ifs” surrounding “The Devil Wears Prada” have become a perennial topic of discussion in entertainment journalism. The film’s enduring popularity ensures that the history of its casting is revisited regularly. Both McAdams and Hudson have addressed their decisions in later interviews, typically without expressing regret, but acknowledging the film’s significant impact.

For the film industry, the episode serves as a notable example of how a project’s ultimate success can hinge on the alignment of a specific actor with a role at a particular moment in their career. The right casting choice can elevate material and define a film’s legacy, a fact demonstrated by Hathaway’s performance.

Looking ahead, the enduring interest in this piece of Hollywood history is likely to continue. With persistent rumors of a potential sequel circulating for years, any confirmed development on that front would undoubtedly renew scrutiny of the original casting process and raise questions about which actors would return for a follow-up story.

Source: Various industry reports and actor interviews.