Why The Devil Wears Prada was almost made without Meryl Streep
The actress admits today that she was ready to retire 20 years ago, before being convinced… financially.
It’s hard to imagine Miranda Priestly without it. And yet, Meryl Streep almost said no to Devil wears Prada20 years ago.
Invited on the Today show alongside Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, to promote the sequel currently in theaters, the actress reconsidered her decision to join the film in 2006. And her initial response was clear:
“They made me an offer…and I said no.“
Not for artistic reasons. But financial.
Streep already knew the film would be a success, and wanted to be paid accordingly: “I asked for double. And they immediately said yes.“
A position that she fully accepts today, recognizing that it took years to understand that she could impose her conditions. At the time, the actress was even considering ending her career:
“I was 56, ready to retire.”
The Devil Wears Prada will on the contrary relaunch his trajectory, offering him a new aura as a mainstream star, in addition to an Oscar nomination.
The rest is known: one more Oscar for The Iron Ladythen a series of successes like Mamma Mia! Or Not so simple. Twenty years later, the release of The Devil Wears Prada 2 could well mark a new chapter for Streep, in what marks her first big screen role in five years.
