Almost 20 years after the original movie was released, The Devil Wears Prada is back for a sequel with most of the original cast reprising their roles – but longtime fans have been left shocked to find that the role of Andy Sachs was almost played by someone else.
The upcoming installment will follow iconic character Miranda Priestly as she navigates the challenges of the declining print magazine industry, with Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci all returning.
The sequel will also see the introduction of four-time BAFTA winner Kenneth Branagh, who will reportedly play the husband of ice queen fashion magazine editor, per Deadline.
While it’s hard to imagine anyone but Anne Hathaway playing the iconic role of Andy Sachs, there were in fact several other notable actresses up for the part – and social media are up in arms about who could have potentially been the face of the hit film.
Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Kate Hudson, Kirsten Dunst, Juliette Lewis, Claire Danes and Hilary Duff were all also reportedly considered to play Andy.
Rachel McAdams was the initial first choice, with the studio relentlessly pursuing her by offering her the role a whopping three times.
Shocked fans have taken to social media to share their thoughts over the potential faces of Andy after a TikTok video resurfaced the list of potential actresses.
‘The only that would have worked was Rachel McAdams,’ one film-lover wrote.
While it’s hard to imagine anyone but Anne Hathaway playing the iconic role of Andy Sachs, there were in fact several other notable actresses up for the part – and social media are up in arms about who could have potentially been the face of the hit film
‘Hilary’s acting wouldn’t have been able to hold up next to Meryl at all but she would’ve ate a Disney channel knock off of the movie,’ snarked someone else.
‘Claire Danes would have been a [good] one actually, but Anne was the perfect choice,’ declared someone else.
‘Wild!! Scarjo would not have worked because she’s too effortlessly cool and Andy had to be a little awkward and nerdy, and Natalie is too naturally elegant and fashion darlingy to pull off the awkwardness too in my opinion,’ someone else chimed in.
Another user explained why so many blonde actresses were being considered.
‘Andrea Sachs in the book is actually blonde, so most of these make more sense than Anne Hathaway,’ they wrote.
‘Wow Juliette Lewis would have been a crazy choice but I think it would have slapped. Hilary Duff would have been iconic,’ another fan commented.
Hathaway, 42, has previously revealed she was ninth in line for the role of in the fashion film, sharing the tidbit in a 2021 episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Contestant Rosé asked Hathaway if there were any roles she had to ‘fight tooth and nail for,’ with the Academy awarded actress jokingly responding: ‘How much time do you have?’
Hathaway shockingly revealed she was the ninth choice to star as the leading lady of The Devil Wears Prada on an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2021
The Devil Wears Prada sequel will follow Meryl’s iconic character as she navigates the challenges of the declining print magazine industry
Scarlett Johansson (left), Natalie Portman, Kate Hudson, Kirsten Dunst, Juliette Lewis, Claire Danes (right) and Hilary Duff were all also reportedly considered to play Andy Sachs
Rachel McAdams was the first choice for the role following her success in The Notebook and Mean Girls, but she turned down the role several times
‘I will give you some tea: I was the ninth choice for Devil Wears Prada,’ she shared. ‘But I got it! Hang in there, never give up.’
In 2016, Hathaway told Variety how hard she had to work to get the role, which catapulted her into international stardom.
‘I had to be patient,’ she told the outlet, admitting: ‘I wasn’t the first choice.’
The actress added that she traced the words ‘hire me’ in the sand of a Zen garden plant of an executive after their meeting was over to catch their attention.
While Hathaway is synonymous with the film now, it could have been a different movie if another A-lister was cast.
According to IMBb, at least seven well-known actresses were considered – and offered the role – before Hathaway accepted it.
Rachel McAdams was the first choice for the role following her success in The Notebook and Mean Girls, but she turned down the role several times.
‘I’m not going to make movies just to make movies,’ the 46-year-old actress told Elle in 2007.
‘I have to be passionate about it,’ she explained. ‘And at the same time, I can get very distracted when I’m working, and I like to get back to my life a lot.’
