Rachel McAdams Was The Top Choice For "The Devil Wears Prada" But She Really Didn't Want To Do It

    "The studio was determined to have her, and she was determined not to do it."

    Alex Gurley
    by Alex Gurley

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    Back in 2006, Rachel McAdams was the top choice to star in The Devil Wears Prada...but she really didn't want the role.

    Rachel wears a floral ruffle dress with a plunging neckline
    Roy Rochlin / Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival

    It turns out that Rachel was asked to play Andy in the iconic film three times — and she said "no" every time.

    Rachel smiles while glammed up for an event
    Axelle / FilmMagic / Via Getty Images

    In a new interview that brought together the iconic film's cast, director David Frankel says when they started negotiating with Anne Hathaway, the studio was still stuck on Rachel.

    Anne attends the premiere of Devil Wears Prada
    Michael Loccisano / FilmMagic / Via Getty Images

    "We started negotiating with Annie to make a deal, and that didn't go well with the studio...we offered it to Rachel McAdams three times. The studio was determined to have her, and she was determined not to do it," David explained.

    Rachel wears an emerald green halter dress to an event
    Jason Merritt / Getty Images

    And despite other actresses like Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, and Kate Hudson being considered for the role, Anne was persistent about her desire for the part.

    Anne poses with co-star Meryl Streep
    David Lefranc / Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

    "It spoke to me. It made me feel. It was about a subject that I take very seriously, but in such a wonderfully joyful and lighthearted way," Anne explained.

    Anne sits at a desk in a scene from Devil Wears Prada
    20thcentfox /Courtesy Everett Collection

    Thankfully, she didn't give up and relentlessly campaigned for the part, meeting with executives and even writing the words "hire me" in the Zen garden of then-Fox 2000 VP Carla Hacken.

    Anne holds up a few pairs of heels in a shoe store in the film
    20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    And when Meryl Streep saw Anne's role in Brokeback Mountain, she joined the campaign to get her cast in the film.

    Anne whispers something to Meryl Streep in a scene from the film
    20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Meryl was eager to make the movie, and she said, 'Let me meet with her.' Brokeback Mountain was about to come out. Annie had a wonderful, small role in that. And Meryl watched that scene from the movie; she met with her and called up Tom Rothman at Fox and said, 'Yeah, this girl's great, and I think we'll work well together,'" David shared.

    Not long after, Anne finally got the call she had been waiting for.

    20thCentFox / Via giphy.com

    "I patiently waited until it was my turn, and I got the call. It was the easiest yes in the world," Anne concluded.