Meryl Streep Almost Rejected Iconic Devil Role

It is perhaps one of her biggest and best known roles, but says she initially turned down the opportunity to play Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada - so she could double her fee. 

The Oscar winning actress won accolades for her starring role as ruthless Runway magazine editor Priestley in director David Frankel's 2006 satire about the fashion industry. 

But Streep, who has slipped back into Priestley's designer shoes for The Devil Wears Prada 2, says she used her undeniable star quality as a bargaining chip to boost her earnings after being offered the role. 

'I knew it was going to be a hit,' Streep, 76, told Today. '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."' 

She added: 'I wanted to see if I doubled my ask, and they went right away and said "Sure."' 

Discussing the film's forthcoming sequel with host , who has a cameo role in the new film, Streep said her desire to to take a step back from the acting industry had prompted her decision to bargain with producers. 

'I’m 56 years [old] - it took me this long to understand that I could do that!' she said. 'I was sure of it. I was sure it would be a hit. And they needed me, I felt. 

'And I wanted it, but if they didn’t want to do that, I was okay. Because I’m old - I’m 56, I was ready to retire.' 

The decision ultimately paid off, with the film raking in an astonishing $326 million from global box office sales, from a comparatively meagre $35-41 million budget.

Released on May 1, The Devil Wears Prada 2 has been afforded a worryingly lukewarm reception from critics, with many claiming it lacks the panache that made its predecessor so successful. 

The film has also sparked a series of controversies, notably in its clumsy handling of an Asian character and recent claims that background artists were fired after Anne Hathaway confronted producers over their casting of 'worryingly thin' models.  

Discussing the furore on Tuesday, Hathaway, 43, said the incident had been blown out of proportion and insisted the narrative currently unfolding across social media - that her comments resulted in some cast-members losing their jobs - is wide off the mark.

'It was just this kind of quick thing that happened on set and now it’s become a much bigger story,' she told Good Morning America.

'I do want to mention there’s a little misinformation getting out there right now that people were fired because of the size inclusivity and that just didn’t happen.'

Hathaway revealed the incident related to a specific scene that she's forbidden from discussing. 

She added: 'Nobody lost their jobs, in fact, it created more jobs… it’s so hard because I can’t say what the scene is about, but there’s a song that  wrote and it’s a beautiful, amazing song. 

'Isn’t it better when you see so many different types of bodies up there with that?'