Meryl Streep has revealed that she nearly turned down her iconic role in The Devil Wears Prada, doubling her salary demand before agreeing to star. Speaking on the Today show, Streep said she knew the film would be a hit as soon as she read the script, but initially declined the offer. 'I wanted to see if I doubled my ask, and they went right away and said, “Sure”,' she recalled.
The 2006 film, based on Lauren Weisberger's novel and directed by David Frankel, was a commercial and critical success, grossing $326.7 million worldwide. Streep won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Miranda Priestly, the formidable editor of a New York fashion magazine, a character widely thought to be inspired by Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
Streep, then 56, admitted she was prepared to retire but took the role after the salary renegotiation. 'I was ready to retire, but that was a lesson. That was a great way to start,' she said. The veteran actress noted that it took her decades to understand she could ask for what she wanted.
The long-awaited sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2, is now in production, with original cast members Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci reprising their roles. Newcomers include Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu, and Simone Ashley. Lady Gaga has also been spotted on set. The Independent's Clarisse Loughrey gave the sequel four stars, praising its 'trenchant, committed portrait' of contemporary journalism.
