Why Anne Hathaway Rejected Title Role in Alice in Wonderland

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In May 2016, Alice Through the Looking Glass actress Anne Hathaway was already back to showing off her sartorial prowess on the red carpet, just two months after welcoming her firstborn, Jonathan Rosebanks Shulman.

Anne Hathaway wears her hair down at the premiere of Disney's "Alice Through the Looking Glass"Anne Hathaway wears her hair down at the premiere of Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass” held on May 23, 2016, at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood (Credit: FayesVision / Michael Wright / WENN)

The then-33-year-old actress attended the premiere of her 2016 American live-action/animated fantasy adventure film “Alice Through the Looking Glass” at El Capitan Theatre. It’s the sequel to the 2010 American adventure fantasy film Alice in Wonderland.

Starring as Mirana / White Queen, Anne was 31 years old when principal photography began on August 4, 2014, at Shepperton Studios, a film studio located in Shepperton, Surrey, England. She celebrated her 32nd birthday on November 12, 2014.

Despite an age gap of almost 17 years, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter play sisters of roughly the same age in the 2016 American live-action/animated fantasy adventure film Alice Through the Looking GlassDespite an age gap of almost 17 years, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter play sisters of roughly the same age in the 2016 American live-action/animated fantasy adventure film Alice Through the Looking Glass (Credit: Walt Disney Pictures)

Helena Bonham Carter, who portrays her sister Iracebeth / Red Queen in the film, is almost 17 years older than Anne.

Sacha Baron Cohen, who plays a character named Time that has an interior consisting of clockwork, also starred with Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway in the 2012 epic period musical film Les Misérables.

Anne was offered the role of Alice in the 2010 American adventure fantasy film Alice in Wonderland but rejected the part as she thought the character was too similar to her role in The Princess Diaries.

Since Anne was more interested in playing the role of the White Queen, Crimson Peak actress Mia Wasikowska was offered and accepted the role of Alice Kingsleigh.

Johnny Depp as Tarrant Hightopp, the Mad Hatter, Mia Wasikowska as Alice Kingsleigh, and Anne Hathaway as Mirana of Marmoreal, the White Queen, in Tim Burton's 2010 American adventure fantasy film Alice in WonderlandJohnny Depp as Tarrant Hightopp, the Mad Hatter, Mia Wasikowska as Alice Kingsleigh, and Anne Hathaway as Mirana of Marmoreal, the White Queen, in Tim Burton’s 2010 American adventure fantasy film Alice in Wonderland (Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

“It was hard get into rooms, to be taken seriously for roles that weren’t princesses,” Anne told HuffPost Live.

“My whole M.O. in my 20s was being in as many different types of films as you can. Working with as many different types of directors as you can. I think, in part, that’s what I wanted to do as an actor.”

“The studio had the Alice script a long time ago and I was approached back then for the part of Alice. I considered it, but felt, what with The Princess Diaries that I had been there, done that sort of pretty-girl-in-a-fairy-dress role,” Hathaway said in an interview with GQ.

“I told the studio, however, that if they found a director eventually, that I would be interested at a later date in playing the White Queen,” she added.

Actress Anne Hathaway in a sparkly Vivienne Westwood Couture dress styled with Casadei platform shoes and Stephen Webster jewelry at the Alice In Wonderland World PremiereActress Anne Hathaway in a sparkly Vivienne Westwood Couture cocoa color dress styled with Casadei platform shoes and Stephen Webster jewelry at the Alice In Wonderland World Premiere at the Odeon Cinema, Leicester Square on February 25, 2010, in London (Credit: Richard Young / Startraksphoto)

“When Tim came on board he had the cast he wanted and, of course, that didn’t include me. But the other actress who was marked had scheduling conflicts, so the studio piped up and put me forward,” Anne recalled.

“I talked on the phone with Tim and he really liked my take. I wanted the Queen to be a cross between Debbie Harry, Greta Garbo, David Bowie, with little bit of the work of Dan Flavin thrown in for good measure.”

When the 2010 American adventure fantasy film Alice in Wonderland premiered in London at the Odeon Leicester Square on February 25, 2010, Anne Hathaway was 27 years old. Anne, who shot all of her scenes in two weeks, celebrated her 28th birthday on November 12, 2010.

Anne Hathaway waves as she arrives at the premiere of Disney's "Alice Through the Looking Glass"Anne Hathaway waves as she arrives at the premiere of Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass” (Credit: FayesVision / Michael Wright / WENN)

For the Los Angeles premiere of Alice Through the Looking Glass, Anne proudly put her post-pregnancy curves on display, wearing a form-fitting custom dress by Christopher Kane.

Anne Hathaway shows off her post-baby body in a form-fitting Christopher Kane dressAnne Hathaway shows off her post-baby body in a form-fitting Christopher Kane dress (Credit: FayesVision / Michael Wright / WENN)

The enchanting corset-style frock featured black and white vertical stripes as well as floral embroidery and appliques, echoing the fantasy theme of the Disney film.

Anne Hathaway shows off the embroidery and appliqués on her striped Christopher Kane dressAnne Hathaway shows off the embroidery and appliqués on her striped Christopher Kane dress (Credit: FayesVision / Michael Wright / WENN)

It also had vine-like off-the-shoulder straps and a low-cut neckline that could hardly contain Anne’s ample cleavage.

The new mom kept her accessories simple, with Chanel Fine jewelry and a pair of black heels. She styled her short tresses in beachy waves and made up her face with smoky eye makeup and rosy lipstick.

Anne Hathaway stuns in a short striped Christopher Kane dressAnne Hathaway stuns in a short striped Christopher Kane dress (Credit: FayesVision / Michael Wright / WENN)

Anne completed her look with a pair of black sandals from the Christian Louboutin and Jonathan Saunders collaborative collection. They have PVC straps, buckled ankle straps, and about four-inch heels.

Anne Hathaway's feet in strappy Christian Louboutin x Jonathan Sanders sandalsAnne Hathaway’s feet in strappy Christian Louboutin x Jonathan Sanders sandals (Credit: FayesVision / Michael Wright / WENN)