Anne Hathaway owes her dog

Aug 3, 2007, 11:40 GMT

07/24/2007 - Anne Hathaway - Becoming Jane - New York Movie Premiere - Arrivals - Landmark Sunshine Cinema - New York City, NY, USA © Anthony G. Moore / PR Photos

Anne Hathaway only landed the part of Jane Austen in her latest movie because of her slipper-eating dog.

The 24-year-old actress - who stars as the revered British writer in 'Becoming Jane' - hardly slept a wink the night before her audition because her chocolate Labrador was so ill after eating the complementary hotel footwear.

When she met director Julian Jarrold, Anne was so grumpy she managed to convince him she had more depth than the happy-go-lucky girl she played in 'The Princess Dairies'.

She recalled to People magazine: "My dog decided to eat a hotel slipper, so she was up the whole night vomiting. I slept maybe an hour.

"When I arrived at the interview, I was tired and wasn't in a very good mood. I guess Julian Jarrold realised that I wasn't the bright, happy, smiley, untroubled girl from 'The Princess Diaries'. He offered me the role after that."

The star admits she had to beg to get an audition in the first place because she was typecast from her previous roles.

She explained: "I was associated with tiara flicks."

'Becoming Jane' tells the story of a young ambitious Austen whose world is turned upside down when she meets a dashing Irishman, Tom Lefroy, played by James McAvoy.

(C) BANG Media International