The One Simple Reason Meryl Streep Nearly Passed on The Devil Wears Prada

Here comes a bit of movie lore you probably didn’t see coming: Meryl Streep—yes, that Meryl Streep—almost didn’t become Miranda Priestly, the icy terror of The Devil Wears Prada. That’s right. The must-watch performance that basically defines the movie as much as the endless parade of coats and eye-rolls was nearly somebody else’s gig. The reason? Not what you might think.

Streep Says No (But Not for Long)

So here’s how the story goes, straight from Streep herself during a recent chat with Jenna Bush Hager on the Open Book with Jenna podcast. Back when the 2006 movie was coming together, the producers sent an offer her way. Streep thought the script was fantastic and could see it was a guaranteed hit. But when she heard their offer, she didn’t just politely decline—she flat-out told them she wasn’t going to do it.

'I knew it was going to be a hit. I read the script — the script was great. They called me up, and they made an offer, and I said "No. I'm not going to do it."'

If you’re imagining salary drama, you’re on the right track. Streep was ready to walk away if they didn’t double the paycheck. No coy negotiation, just a direct ask. We’re talking serious 'know your worth' energy. And here’s the kicker: instead of pushing back, the producers agreed to her terms immediately. They knew they needed her.

Why Now? Why Walk Away?

Money was the main thing, but Streep opened up about something deeper. At the time, she was 56 and, according to her, seriously considering retirement. Landing another big franchise wasn’t really on her agenda—a refreshing note of honesty you rarely get in Hollywood origin stories. She’d paid her dues, she knew how much clout she had, and she was fine with leaving if the studios wanted to play hardball.

All in all? The only reason we got that game-changing Miranda Priestly performance was because the studio blinked first and paid up. Also, a little fun perspective: The Devil Wears Prada made over $326 million worldwide and cemented Streep’s villainous-chic persona for a new generation.

She’s Back (And Yes, There’s a Sequel)

• The Devil Wears Prada 2 is officially on its way, with Streep slated to return as Miranda
• Mark your calendar: The follow-up lands in theaters May 1, 2026
• No word yet on whether she’ll ask for another salary hike—though honestly, at this point, who could blame her?

For Hollywood, this is about as straightforward a power play as you’ll ever hear: Streep knew what she was worth, rolled the dice, and won. We ended up getting a performance for the ages—and apparently, there’s plenty more Miranda Priestly drama on the horizon.