Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Meryl Streep is a film industry icon, andThe Devil Wears Pradaleft a lasting mark on a whole generation. People still talk about her character, Miranda Priestly, even today. But not many know the details of how she got ready to play the villain in the movie.
Some say the most renowned actors use strict methods to get into character, and Streep was one of them until she realized it might not be the healthiest approach. For this movie, she took her method acting to the extreme.
How Did Meryl Streep Prepare ForThe Devil Wears Prada?
Being Miranda Priestly isn’t easy, and that’s true both in the story ofThe Devil Wears Pradaand forMeryl Streep. Given the character’s strong traits, the method Streep used to fully immerse herself in the role was something she later regretted.
Known as method acting, this strategy involves the actor staying deeply immersed in the character. This approach was discussed when the film was released, as Streep was already known for using it. It’s also known that this method can sometimes make actors unpleasant to be around off-camera.
“Emily it’s your time to shine”: Emily Blunt Will Get Her Sweet Revenge Against Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada Sequel
In an interview withVarietyin 2023,Emily BluntandAnne Hathawayhad the chance to reflect on their experiences working with Streep in the movie. They shared detailed memories of what it was like to see Meryl Streep transform into the unforgettable villain. Blunt remembered that her co-star had already expressed how she felt about the process:
Do you know she’s never done Method acting since? She said it made her so miserable on this one, because we were all having a party on the other side of the set. And she was like, “I won’t do this again”.
Thetechniqueof acting has roots that predate cinema. Konstantin Stanislavski, a Russian theater director, developed a detailed system for preparing actors. Later, Lee Strasberg adapted this method for film, focusing on developing emotions and thoughts as if he were the character himself, leading to a more realistic portrayal.
Meryl Streep Said She’s Done With Method Acting
In 2021, during an oral history forThe Devil Wears PradaatEntertainment Weeklywith the reunited cast, this topic was revisited, particularly since Streep herself could share her feedback on the experience.
Meryl Streep Intimidated Anne Hathaway to the Point That She Felt She Did Not Belong in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’: “Just accept it, she’s gonna be better than you”
Emily Blunt revealed that the actress kept a certain distance from the cast. She noted that while Streep wasn’t completely inaccessible, Blunt wasn’t sure if this approach was actually beneficial, as it wasn’t the most enjoyable or easy process. The co-star readily agreed and added:
It was horrible! I was [miserable] in my trailer. I could hear them all rocking and laughing. I was so depressed! I said, “Well, it’s the price you pay for being boss!” That’s the last time I ever attempted a Method thing!
Additionally, Hathaway revealed that despite the strategy, it also affected how she approached her leading role as well. She recognized that Streep knew what she was doing, whichpushed herto improvise and deliver more in her scenes than she might have otherwise.
I did feel intimidated, but I always felt cared for. I knew that whatever she was doing to create that fear, I appreciated [because] I also knew she was watching out for me. There’s this scene where [she says], “You’re just as disappointing as the rest of those silly girls.” I remember when the camera turned on me, the pressure really got to me, and I’d had such emotional fluidity in the day up to that point, but it just wasn’t there anymore. I remember having the experience of watching [her] watch me, and [she] altered [her] performance ever so slightly, and just made it a little bit different, and brought more out of me and got me to break through whatever barrier I had.
Now that thesequelhas been announced, it’s just a matter of waiting to see what she brings to Miranda Priestly this time.
The Devil Wears Pradais available to stream on Disney+.
Catherine Delgado
Articles Published :141
A geek enthusiast of fantasy and sci-fi, Catherine is also a screenwriter, completely obsessed with pop culture. Graduated in Audiovisual Production, she creates characters and writes about fictional universes when not writing articles, binge-watching shows, or reading sagas.
