Anne Hathaway Was the Ninth Choice for ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ Role — And Almost Missed Her Big Break

Anne Hathaway was just 24 when she nabbed rave reviews and a huge career boost playing Meryl Streep’s brow-beaten aide in the hit 2006 flick The Devil Wears Prada.

Now sources says the beauty shockingly was the ninth choice for the role.

Sources say other actresses reportedly considered before Anne were Claire Danes, Kate Hudson, Kirsten Dunst, Juliette Lewis, Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Rachel McAdams, who was asked three times but said no.

“The studio was determined to have her, and she was determined not to do it,” recalls director David Frankel. Looking back, The Notebook star Rachel says she “felt guilty” turning down the part, but thought the role “wasn’t quite jiving with my personality.”