Anne Hathaway Was The 9th Choice For Andy Sachs—Plus Other Intriguing Facts You Didn't Know About The Devil Wears Prada

Some stories are all sharp suits and sharper deadlines, but The Devil Wears Prada also quietly delivered a real-life romance subplot that no one saw coming. Behind the glossy chaos, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci formed a friendship that eventually turned into a family connection, and yes, it all traces back to this movie.

While they were filming, Blunt and Tucci clicked fast, then life kept unfolding. In 2010, at Emily’s wedding to John Krasinski, Tucci was introduced to Blunt’s sister, Felicity. They had apparently already crossed paths at a premiere for The Devil Wears Prada, which makes the whole thing feel like the universe reread the script and added a bonus chapter.

And just when you think it can’t get more tangled, the casting history is even messier, because Anne Hathaway was the ninth choice for Andy Sachs.

1. The Devil Wears Prada ignited one of Hollywood’s sweetest love stories

Photo: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

Who knew that amidst the drama and high fashion of The Devil Wears Prada, one of Hollywood’s sweetest love stories was quietly unfolding?

While filming, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci struck up a close friendship. But the real magic happened off-set. In 2010, at Emily's wedding to John Krasinski, Tucci was introduced to the bride’s sister, Felicity Blunt. Apparently, they had crossed paths way back at the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada.

Two years after their second meeting, Tucci and Felicity exchanged their own vows. This officially made him Emily Blunt’s brother-in-law—a true Prada-inspired happily ever after.

Before the wedding guest list even mattered, Blunt and Tucci’s friendship started on set, and it later led to Tucci meeting Felicity at Emily’s 2010 wedding to John Krasinski.

Learning from Missed Opportunities

The behind-the-scenes dynamics of casting The Devil Wears Prada reveal an important lesson in recognizing and nurturing emerging talent.

By embracing a more open-minded casting process, studios can foster diversity and authenticity in storytelling. This approach not only enriches the narrative but also reflects the evolving societal values regarding representation and inclusivity.

2. Rachel McAdams was the actual first choice for the role of Andy Sachs. Anne Hathaway was ninth!

PHOTO: Everett

As we revealed earlier, Hathaway was far from the first pick. Hathaway herself has admitted she was the "ninth choice" for the role that would come to define her career.

Director David Frankel reveals that the studio had their hearts set on Rachel McAdams, saying, "The studio was determined to have her, and she was determined not to do it."

McAdams turned down the part multiple times, opening the door for other A-listers like Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, and Kirsten Dunst to be considered—until Hathaway eventually landed the iconic role.

3. Miranda Priestly's office in the movie had a striking resemblance to the original high-powered fashion mogul's (Anna Wintour's) lair

The Devil Wears Prada.

That same movie also became a casting battlefield, since Rachel McAdams was the studio’s first choice for Andy Sachs and kept turning it down.

The Evolution of Casting Choices

The casting process in Hollywood often reflects a complex interplay of marketability, star power, and creative vision.

When studios prioritize established names over raw talent, they may overlook actors who could embody a role more authentically. This can lead to missed opportunities for more nuanced storytelling and character development.

Food also gets dramatic in movies where the dishes steal the spotlight, just like the fashion does for Andy and Miranda.

The film’s production designer took major cues from the real deal. While the team didn’t get much help from the Vogue camp, a quick peek inside Anna Wintour's office—the real-life inspiration for Miranda—proved invaluable."

4. Major fashion houses refused to lend their designs, as they feared Vogue’s wrath

PHOTO: Barry Wetcher/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

When McAdams said no again and again, the role bounced around between big names like Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, and Kirsten Dunst, until Anne Hathaway finally landed it as the ninth choice.

Despite her legendary status, Patricia Field, the film's costume designer, faced a fashion dilemma. At first, no major couture houses were willing to lend their designs for the movie. Why? They didn’t want to risk upsetting the real-life fashion queen, Anna Wintour.

Frankel recalled the initial struggle: “There were initially no designers of note who would appear in the film. They just didn’t want to incur the wrath of Anna.” Thankfully, Prada broke the silence, assuring everyone that Anna wouldn’t be offended.

5. Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) never wore a single piece of clothing from Prada in the movie

Barry Wetcher/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

Despite the film’s title, Meryl Streep’s iconic character, Miranda Priestly, never wore a stitch of Prada. Instead, costume designer Patricia Field teamed up with her friend, Donna Karan, to dress the editor.

Surprisingly, it was Streep herself who chose Miranda’s signature hair color, drawing inspiration from New York supermodel Carmen Dell’Orefice, a Vogue regular known for her striking silver locks.

Who knew Miranda’s cold, intimidating look had such thoughtful touches behind it?

6. Stanley Tucci took the movie script from sharp to hilarious

PHOTO: Everett

Even Miranda Priestly’s office details keep the theme going, because the set’s look pulled from Anna Wintour’s real-world fashion power vibe, just like the casting pulled from real-life stubbornness.

Anne Hathaway's journey to becoming Andy Sachs highlights the unpredictable nature of casting in film.

Hathaway's eventual success as Andy demonstrates how sometimes the less obvious choice can resonate more deeply with audiences. Filmmakers should consider a broader range of auditions to discover hidden talents that align with a character's essence.

Though the script, penned by Aline Brosh McKenna, was already full of wit, Stanley Tucci brought his own flair to the role of Nigel by improvising lines that left the cast in stitches. One memorable moment was his now-iconic warning, "Gird your loins!" as Miranda Priestly made her intimidating entrance.

Emily Blunt fondly recalls another scene where Nigel tries to diplomatically suggest that it might take some effort to fit Andy into the designer dresses. “He must’ve done 10 versions,” she said. “There was not one where I got through it unscathed.”

Indeed, Tucci’s quick wit kept everyone on their toes—and cracking up.

The evolution of casting in films like The Devil Wears Prada serves as a reminder to embrace both established and emerging talent.

By revisiting traditional casting norms and actively seeking diverse voices, filmmakers can enhance their storytelling and connect more authentically with audiences. Ultimately, the film industry thrives on innovation, and recognizing the potential in every actor is key to that growth.

The Prada universe gave us both a dramatic job offer and a surprise family reunion, and somehow it all makes perfect sense.

And if you think that’s a lot, Guy Fieri’s “suburban dad” birthday post has the internet freaking out.