It seems like there are some interesting behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the 2006 romantic comedy “The Devil Wears Prada.” Here are some highlights:
Never has an actress felt so grateful not to be the lead.
Two decades have passed, and Tracie Thoms recalls with clarity the fear that gripped her during Meryl Streep’s initial, softly spoken lines at the table reading for “The Devil Wears Prada.”
“Thoms, playing the role of Lily, the candid and devoted friend to Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs, found it difficult to make out what she was saying.”
In an exclusive conversation with TopMob News, I initially believed that the Academy Award winner was merely grappling with the script, figuring out how to bring to life the formidable and uncompromising fashion editor Miranda Priestly, a character said to be inspired by none other than Anna Wintour of Vogue.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d suggest paraphrasing it this way: During table reads, some actors prefer to hold off on making definitive character choices. They believe in taking their time for the exploration process instead.
Approximately midway through the script, based on Lauren Weisberger’s acclaimed novel, Thoms expressed a moment of surprise. “I thought, ‘Uh-oh,’ she admitted, “but then I was struck by pure brilliance. This decision made everyone at the table lean in closer to Miranda.”
In an interview with Variety back in 2016, I, Meryl Streep, confessed to borrowing a brilliant idea from Clint Eastwood. He possesses this remarkable ability to speak in a soft-spoken tone, making it essential for everyone to lean in closely to catch his words. And let me tell you, the mere presence of his calm demeanor instantly grants him the most commanding authority in any given room.
But her method acting approach was her own brand of genius.
Thom shared that Anne received no attention from her aside from when the topic of her unappealing sweeter was brought up. He added, “She seemed to wither inside next to me.”
As a dedicated follower of the events unfolding before us, let me share that Anne Hathaway, prior to taking her seat, came across as incredibly sweet to me. And then things took a turn. I found myself thinking, “Wow, Anne, you’ve got a lot on your plate. Best of luck to you!” Fortunately, I didn’t have any scenes with her, or I might have been in for a nerve-wracking experience.
The actress devoted her four-day filming tenure for the 2006 production to harmonizing with Hathaway as they both listened to the freshly released “Rent” soundtrack tunes.
Thom quipped, “She brought joy to have a fellow nerd nearby like her during the filming of ‘Les Misérables,'” referring to Hathaway. “Our work sessions were effortless since at times it was unclear if director David Frankel had given the command to begin. We’d amuse ourselves with discussions about French fries. Then, Anne would enter and we’d realize, ‘Ah, it’s time to shoot now.'”
As an obsessed fan of Superman lore, I can’t help but be drawn back in every time I stumble upon the comedy “Superman Returns” on my TV screen. Nearly two decades have passed since its initial release and the film grossed an impressive $326 million at the box office. Yet, my fond memories of Superman remain as vivid as ever. Each time I see it, I find myself thinking, “Well, it seems this is happening again for me.”
An appreciation for The Devil Wears Prada? Groundbreaking.
“Thoms expressed that The Devil Wears Prada is beloved by all, even among straight men who seem to feel the need to confess their enjoyment of it to him in hushed tones. He reassured them, ‘You don’t have to feel guilty about that. It’s a great film. Let go of it.'”
The announcement that movies like “The Devil Wears Prada” and others, featuring stars such as Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt, are planning sequels makes it hard for us all to prepare emotionally.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d recommend immersing yourself in the original film’s enchantment by uncovering exclusive behind-the-scenes stories shared personally by the stars. Take your time to savor every detail, just as you would appreciate the beauty of a glacier unfolding at its own pace.
As an obsessed fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about how the film adaptation of “The Devil Wears Prada” came to life even before the book graced the shelves. When I first laid my eyes on the initial 100 pages and the outline at Fox 2000, I was blown away by the captivating story based on author Lauren Weisberger’s experiences as Anna Wintour’s assistant at Vogue. In awe of this roman-à-clef’s potential, I proudly declared, “I was the lucky one who read it first at Fox 2000!” The moment I finished, I knew Miranda Priestly would go down in history as one of the greatest literary villains ever. My passion for this project was contagious, and we acted swiftly to acquire the rights and bring it to life on the big screen.
As an obsessed fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about the behind-the-scenes story of bringing the bestselling novel to life on the big screen. The preparations started even before its 2003 publication, but after four attempts by different writers at creating a direct adaptation, it was Aline Brosh McKenna’s turn to take the helm. Her focus? The immense sacrifices women face as they climb the ranks in fashion magazine careers.
As a lifestyle expert, I can relate to the challenges McKenna faced during her research for the film about Anna Wintour and Vogue. I remember vividly how reluctant people were to open up to me due to the formidable reputation of Anna and the fashion industry’s notorious competitive nature. One individual, whom I will keep anonymous, shared their concerns with me, expressing that my initial portrayal was too benign and did not accurately represent the ruthless reality of the fashion world. Taking their feedback into consideration, I revised the script to make each character more driven and less inclined to be overly kind or accommodating.
Wintour’s significant influence posed a challenge for Frankel in securing locations, he confessed to Entertainment Weekly. The Met Ball caused the Metropolitan Museum to refuse us, he explained. Bryant Park, which had long been the home of New York Fashion Week, was also off the table.
He revealed that despite considering several famous apartment buildings for Miranda’s residence, we were unable to gain access due to the co-op boards’ restrictions. In the end, they obtained a five-story townhouse on the Upper East Side from a friend of producer Wendy Finerman to use instead.
3. But there was one set they nailed. “The only contact we had with Vogue was Jess Gonchor, the production designer, who snuck into their offices to get a look at Anna’s office,” Frankel revealed to EW. “He was able to re-create the office so authentically that I was told Anna redecorated hers immediately after the movie came out.”
Four: The wardrobe posed an intriguing dilemma as well. At first, Frankel revealed to EW, they failed to persuade any renowned fashion designers to contribute clothes for the movie: “They refused to take the risk of displeasing Anna.”
Legendary costumer Patricia Field made her entrance, meticulously bringing together around 150 garments from designers such as Donna Karan, Zac Posen, Rick Owens, and Prada. She ensured that Meryl Streep’s precise portrayal of Miranda Priestly stood out distinctly from Anna Wintour’s. “She borrowed everything,” shared Streep, “We had to be extra cautious not to spill pasta at lunch as they couldn’t accept it back!”
5. And Wintour has a touch of humor regarding the situation. In an interview for Vogue’s 125th anniversary issue, Streep discussed her portrayal of Wintour’s late friend Katherine Graham in “The Post” (2017). When asked about the most difficult character she’s ever played, Streep hesitated and laughed as Wintour interjected, “No, no, Meryl. We’re not delving into that.”
Sixth on my list, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour indeed graced the presence at the movie screening, the very same one that her ex-assistant Weisberger also attended. Subsequently, in an interview with “60 Minutes,” Wintour described the film as purely entertaining and not an authentic representation of the inner workings of the renowned fashion magazine.
7. Meryl Streep was the undisputed pick for the role of Miranda. According to studio executive Hacken, they hadn’t even entertained the thought of other actresses. In an interview with Variety, Hacken expressed, “I can’t recall anything besides, ‘Please, let it be Meryl.'” Upon receiving a call from Streep’s agent confirming her interest in the project and arranging a meeting with the director, Hacken was elated. “I was jubilantly shouting in my office.”
As an avid fan, I can’t help but admire Meryl Streep’s perspective on her character Miranda in the interview with EW. She appreciated Miranda’s unwavering toughness and unwillingness to compromise herself. In her own words: “I connected with the fact that there was no retreat from her harsh realities, and the truly intimidating aspects of her weren’t due to any attempts at self-deprecation or ingratiation – something my dear friend Carrie Fisher referred to as ‘the squeezy and tilty’ behavior often employed in situations where one wants to get their way. Miranda simply refused to play that game.”
Prior to taking on the role, Streep exhibited a characteristically sophisticated approach, akin to Miranda Priestly’s. With two Oscars and eleven nominations under her belt, she had yet to fully grasp the art of negotiating higher compensation. However, this instance marked a change as she boldly voiced her demands.
In my humble yet passionate opinion, the proposal I received fell short of acknowledging the true worth I bring to the project. It wasn’t intentionally disrespectful, but it certainly didn’t resonate with my self-assessed value. I had reached my “goodbye moment,” ready to part ways, when suddenly they sweetened the deal. At 55 years old, I had finally mastered advocating for myself.
9. Along with other responsibilities, Streep carefully requested the inclusion of two specific scenes for Miranda’s character: The first, which she referred to as “the fashion moment,” showcased Miranda teaching Andy about her iconic cerulean sweater. The second scene was described as “unprotected,” taking place in a hotel room where Miranda is seen without her usual defenses.
Meryl Streep’s white hair was part of her own design, as she arrived for a studio meeting with her frosty tresses. According to director Frankel, who spoke to Entertainment Weekly, “During that encounter, Meryl embodied Miranda, and there was no need for discussion about the hair; they simply focused on Meryl’s expressive eyes.”
Anne Hathaway worked harder for her role in “The Devil Wears Prada” than Andy did for Miranda, although not to the extreme that Hathaway claimed during her interview on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” In fact, she was the ninth choice for the part.
Hathaway recounted to Variety that she didn’t need to audition, but she had to be persistent. She even went as far as writing “hire me” in the sand of Hack’s zen garden. It wasn’t until Hathaway was getting dressed in her bedroom that she received the call, surprising her friends with a half-dressed shout in the living room: “I got The Devil Wears Prada! I got The Devil Wears Prada!”
Unfortunately for Hathaway, executives kept turning down Rachel McAdams when they first approached her for the role. In fact, director Frankel revealed to Entertainment Weekly that they made three offers to McAdams, who was then filming “The Family Stone.” Having just finished “Mean Girls” and “The Notebook,” McAdams expressed her reluctance to take on another mainstream project. Determined to have her on board, the studio persisted, but McAdams remained resolute in her decision not to accept the offer.
Meryl Streep’s and Anne Hathaway’s performances in the 2005 Oscar-winning film “Brokeback Mountain” significantly influenced Tom Rothman at Fox, leading him to believe that Hathaway would be an excellent collaborator for “The Princess Diaries” alum. After watching Hathaway’s scene, Streep reportedly shared her impression with Rothman by saying, “I think this actress is remarkable, and I believe we will have a successful partnership.”
Emily Blunt’s laid-back audition stood out among the over 100 women trying out for the role of Miranda’s stern assistant, Emily. Notable contenders included Tracie Thoms, who later read for the part of Andy’s friend Lily. Eventually, it was Emily Blunt who impressed Frankel with her performance.
While on Fox studio for an audition for the 2006 fantasy film “Eragon,” a casting agent requested that the British actress give a tryout for “The Devil Wears Prada.” However, she was in a rush to catch a flight and recalled feeling disorganized. On The Late Late Show in May 2021, she admitted, “I read it, but I was wearing sweatpants and didn’t look the part at all.”
A few days had passed, and Blunt was still brooding over her missed opportunity to audition for “Eragon,” when she received an unexpected call from Frankel. According to Blunt’s recounting to Variety, “I was in a seedy club in London, and I stepped out to take the call in the bathroom. Frankel said, ‘I regret not casting you initially, but the studio wants to see you again. Could you please reaudition, but this time, dress the part more?'”
13. Emily originally had an American tone, but after Blunt spoke the sharp witlines with her British accent during their coffee shop meeting to discuss the script adjustments, McKenna remarked, “We made revisions, infusing the script with more British colloquialisms.” (EW)
The actress Blunt acknowledged taking inspiration from a mom she encountered during filming, as she recounted on The Howard Stern Show. “Apparently, I borrow lines from people I come across,” she admitted. While shopping for groceries, she overheard a mother scolding her child and making a hand gesture. A line that has since been frequently referenced back to Blunt originated from this scene: “I’m listening to this, and I want to listen to this.” Fascinated by the interaction, she integrated it into the movie.
Stanley Tucci played a significant role in shaping memorable lines for “Runway” character Nigel. Producers had been searching tirelessly for an appropriate actor for months. Just as they were about to give up, Tucci stepped in and accepted the offer at the last minute. Once on set, he effortlessly captured Nigel’s dry wit, even ad-libbing some of his most famous quotes.
In an interview with Buzzfeed, Tucci reminisced about Miranda’s initial arrival at her office, recalling how “we all burst into laughter” and David Misrani supplied lines for him to deliver. The line that ultimately made it into the show was “Gird your loins.” Among the discarded alternatives was Tucci’s suggestion of “‘Tits in!'” which he shared with Entertainment Weekly, eliciting more laughter during filming.
15. Without a doubt, his most cherished keepsake from the movie experience is his family. Tucci has maintained a strong bond with his costar Blunt, which allowed him to attend her 2010 wedding to Krasinski. It was during this event that he rekindled his relationship with Felicity Blunt, eventually marrying her in 2012 and starting a family together, having children Matteo and Emilia.
At the 2006 movie premiere, as Tucci shared with People, he first crossed paths with his future spouse. During this time, he was still married to his late wife, Kate Tucci, who had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. He finished the film, and she began her treatments. After the premiere, she lived for another four years. Interestingly enough, a photograph exists of Kate and his current wife, Felicity (Emily’s sister), conversing at that premiere event.
16. Just like Hathaway, Thoms recalls the precise instant when she learned she would portray Lily, an incident that transpired on her 30th birthday in August 2005. Having gained some experience in her acting career, Thoms was relatively assured during her audition, remarking to herself, “Lily seems doable. That’s well within my comfort zone.” Nonetheless, she was elated upon hearing the news.
She reminisced to TopMob News about being in Dartmouth for a play workshop by Alan Ball. Over lunch in the cafeteria, she received the surprising news: “Hey, you’ve been cast in ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’ Happy birthday!” It made for a memorable birthday celebration.
17. Thom also recalls observing Adrian Grenier, popular during his “Entourage” period, skillfully managing fan encounters by distributing CDs from his alternative folk band The Honey Brothers as autograph substitutes.
Thoms commended Grenier for seizing the chance to spotlight his bandmates during his role as Nate, Andy’s boyfriend. Instead of being the band’s frontman, he demonstrated a gracious attitude towards everyone and reciprocated their backing by amplifying the recognition for his colleagues.
18. Though Thoms found the experience utterly delightful and exclaimed, “It felt just like being on ‘Sex and the City’! Of course, we weren’t, but there was an undeniable urban, mature vibe,” she admits to having one regret.
In a pivotal scene, she kept the Marc Jacobs bag hidden from Lily (and Thom) until filming began to ensure authentic excitement. She instructed the prop team not to reveal it beforehand, commenting, “The genuine surprise and desire, ‘Gimme, gimme!’ – that was all due to the purse’s beauty.”
She confessed to TopMob News, “The purse was so beautiful that I had devised a plan to take it with me. However, the scene where I was supposed to accidentally forget the purse in my trailer and have to go back to get it was removed from the script. Consequently, I never returned to set to retrieve the purse, leaving me disappointed.”
At first, it was decided that none of the team, including Meryl Streep, would travel to Paris for filming the concluding scenes of Miranda and Andy’s journey to Paris Fashion Week. This news left Frankel shocked when he shared it with Variety. However, during the shoot, Frankel managed to compile a compelling preview, which eventually persuaded the studio to change the release date to summer and boost the movie’s budget.
Hathaway and Simon Baker, portraying the character Christian, the other love interest, traveled to France for a two-day film shoot. In contrast, Streep filmed her scenes in New York City due to the significant cost of her travel being covered by the studio.
Twenty. In reality, Streep forfeited a significant amount of enjoyment. Opting to immerse herself completely in her Miranda character and largely avoid set camaraderie proved wretched, as she lamented to EW later on. “I could hear them all joking and having a great time. I was utterly dejected! I declared, ‘This is the cost of being in charge!’ That’s the final time I’ll ever try the Method approach!”
Prior to Meryl Streep’s chilling demeanor, she offered a succinct encouragement to Anne Hathaway as recalled by People, stating, “You’re going to be fantastic in this role, and it’s a pleasure working with you…and that will be the last compliment I give you.”
That’s all.
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2024-07-14 17:26