Everything you never knew about ‘The Devil Wears Prada’

It’s hard to believe it’s been 11 years since “The Devil Wears Prada” first hit theaters, because this modern classic is still beloved by fans over a decade later. Starring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep, the film is endlessly quotable, and is a must-watch for anyone with an interest in the world of fashion. Even if you think you know the movie inside and out, here are 12 interesting facts you probably never knew about “The Devil Wears Prada”:

1. It’s based on a (possibly) true story.

Although the book on which the movie was based was sold as fiction, its author, Lauren Weisberger, formerly worked as an assistant to “Vogue” editor Anna Wintour, leading many to believe that the novel was based upon her own experiences. When Meryl Streep, who played Miranda Priestly (the character based on Wintour), came face to face with the famous magazine editor, she had a tough time getting her to talk directly about the movie.

2. Anne Hathaway almost didn’t make the cut.

It might now be difficult to imagine any other actress but Anne Hathaway playing the part of Andy Sachs, Miranda’s determined assistant, but well over 100 actresses were considered for the ultimately career-defining role. Rachel McAdams, for one, declined the role, saying she wanted to step away from mainstream material.

3. Meryl Streep based her character on men.

While the character of Miranda Priestly may be inspired by Anna Wintour, Streep insists she did not base her performance on the legendary editor. Instead, she took her cues from a slew of famous men. “The voice I got from Clint Eastwood,” Streep told Variety. “He never, ever, ever raises his voice and everyone has to lean in to listen, and he is automatically the most powerful person in the room. But he is not funny. That I stole from Mike Nichols. The way the cruelest cutting remark, if it is delivered with a tiny self-amused curlicue of irony, is the most effective instruction, the most memorable correction, because everyone laughs, even the target. The walk, I’m afraid, is mine.”

4. Meryl Streep asked for a raise.

Despite being an established Hollywood heavyweight, Streep felt that the original offer for the role was not quite up to snuff. “The offer was to my mind slightly, if not insulting, not perhaps reflective of my actual value to the project,” Streep told Variety. “There was my ‘goodbye moment,’ and then they doubled the offer. I was 55, and I had just learned, at a very late date, how to deal on my own behalf.”

5. Valentino was the only designer in the film.

Despite the fact that the movie revolves around high fashion, the only bonafide, real-life fashion designer to appear in the film was Valentino Garavani. Valentino also appeared in “Zoolander 2.”

6. The film received two Oscar nods.

Meryl Streep was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, and Patricia Field was nominated for Best Achievement in costume design.

7. It was a slam dunk at the box office.

Made for $41 million, the film ended up pulling in an impressive $326 million worldwide.

8. Don’t hold your breath for a sequel.

Although there is a second book, “Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns,” a sequel to the movie seems unlikely. “I’m not sure if could is the right question,” Hathaway told Variety, regarding whether a sequel is in the cards. “Should there be? I’d love to make a movie with all the people again that’s something totally different. But I think that one might have just hit the right note. It’s good to leave it as it is.”

9. Celebs love the movie too.

Not only does the movie pack serious star power, but it turns out stars love watching it, too. According to People, musician John Legend says he and wife Chrissy Teigen have it on regular rotation at their house: “We always joke about ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’ You can watch it every time it comes on, there’s just something about it.”

10. Meryl Streep wore tons of Donna Karan in the film.

The devil may wear Prada, but Streep’s memorable outfits in the movie primarily came from designer Donna Karan. “I went through racks and racks of late ’80s and ’90s clothing because what made Donna Karan ‘Donna Karan’ was that her clothes flattered and fit women. I was like, OK, a lot of these pieces are unrecognizable after so many years. It fits and it moves and it’s not one of the star pieces of the current season. You don’t want people to think ‘Oh, that’s a Dolce from last season’ or ‘Oh, that’s a Versace from that season.’ It worked because it fit [Streep] and it flattered her. And she kind of owned it,” Patricia Field, the film’s costume designer, told Glamour.

11. Anne Hathaway thought she would be typecast after the film.

After starring in “The Princess Diaries” as well as “Ella Enchanted,” two films that have an ugly duckling-gets-a-makeover element, Hathaway worried that her turn in “The Devil Wears Prada” would seal the deal on her only doing these types of roles for the rest of her career. “I was worried about being accused of being addicted to makeover movies,” she explains.

12. Emily Blunt says the film changed her life.

A relative unknown before portraying Emily in “The Devil Wears Prada,” Emily Blunt’s world changed overnight after receiving the role. “The day the movie came out, all the people in the bakery suddenly knew who I was. It was surreal,” Blunt told Variety.

[h/t: Marie Claire]