The Devil Wears Prada star reveals some interested investors had made it clear to screenwriter and Sons of Anarchy actor Taylor Sheridan that he could be stifling the box office potential of Sicario by making the main character a woman.

Blunt admits she was a little taken aback by the blunt nature of the investor, but she wasn't really surprised.

She recalls, "The writer was approached by one financier who said, 'If you make her a dude, we'll up your budget.' Welcome to Hollywood!"

Sheridan's refusal to bow to the sexist movie backer's suggestion is already paying off - Blunt has emerged as a favourite to land an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, alongside fellow frontrunners Julia Roberts (Secret in Their Eyes) and Cate Blanchett (Carol).

Sicario, about a U.S. government task force's attempts to halt the escalating war against drugs at the America/Mexico border, is directed by Denis Villeneuve and also stars Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro.