Kate Hudson's "Devil Wears Prada" Regret: Why She Passed on Anne Hathaway's Iconic Role

By M Muzamil Shami - February 22, 2025

      Kate Hudson reflects on her decision to pass on "The Devil Wears Prada

Kate Hudson has opened up about her decision to turn down the lead role in the 2006 blockbuster "The Devil Wears Prada," a role that ultimately catapulted Anne Hathaway to new heights. Looking back, Hudson admits she harbors some regret about passing on the iconic film.

During a candid interview on Capital Breakfast, Hudson confessed, "That was a bad call." She elaborated, "It was a timing thing, it was one of those things where I couldn’t do it, and I should’ve made it happen, and I didn’t." This revelation sheds light on the often complex and unpredictable nature of Hollywood scheduling.

Of course, Anne Hathaway delivered a stellar performance as Andrea "Andy" Sachs, the aspiring journalist navigating the cutthroat world of high fashion. The film was a phenomenal success, grossing $327 million worldwide and earning two Oscar nominations. Despite Hathaway's triumph, Hudson couldn't help but feel a pang of what-if. "That was one where when I saw it I was like, ugh," she admitted, adding, "everything happens for a reason." However, she couldn't shake the feeling that she "should’ve made that work."  

It's worth noting that Hudson wasn't the only top actress considered for the role. Director David Frankel revealed that Rachel McAdams, Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, and Kirsten Dunst were also in the running. Notably, the studio was particularly keen on McAdams. "We offered it to Rachel McAdams three times," Frankel said. "The studio was determined to have her, and she was determined not to do it."  

Hudson explained that Hollywood's intricate scheduling often forces actors to decline promising projects. "It’s funny, it’s waves of things that are happening and people shooting at different times," she said. "It’s not like you don’t do them because you don’t want to do them. It’s like, oh, you’re doing something else. And it just sucked, you know?"

For fans of "The Devil Wears Prada," there's exciting news on the horizon. Disney is reportedly developing a sequel, which will reportedly see Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly navigating the evolving landscape of magazine publishing. The sequel also focuses on Emily Blunt's character, now a powerful executive. This new film will likely generate significant buzz and satisfy the appetite of fans eager for more from the iconic franchise.

As for Hudson, she'll be watching the sequel alongside everyone else, perhaps pondering what could have been.

Do you think Kate Hudson would have been a good Andy Sachs? What other roles do you think she would have excelled in? Share your thoughts below!