Anne Hathaway turned to her mother when she landed the role of Fantine in Les Miserables because she understudied for the actress who played the part in the first U.S. tour.

The Devil Wears Prada star admits she didn't know how her mom would react when she found out her daughter would be playing tragic prostitute Fantine on the big screen - but she was very helpful with her research.

Newlywed Hathaway tells The Hollywood Reporter, "My mom was in the first national tour, and she understudied the character whom I wound up playing. It made me nervous to tell her that I was auditioning for it, just because I knew how much it would mean to her.

"I was worried that if I didn't get it, she would be disappointed, and if I did get it, it would be weird. And she was so cool about it. We talked about the character. And when I got the part, no one was happier for me.

"She gave me an image. My mom and I were talking about the idea that Fantine has lit a match, and she's just watching it burn down. And she needs to blow it out and let in the darkness. It was amazing to have that conversation not with an acting teacher, not with a director, but with your mother."