It’s been nearly twenty years since Andy Sachs threw her Chanel-clad self into that fountain in Paris. Honestly, nobody thought we’d ever see a sequel. For a decade, every time a reporter asked Emily Blunt or Anne Hathaway about it, the answer was a polite "probably not." But Hollywood is currently obsessed with nostalgia that actually makes money, and Disney finally pulled the trigger. The Devil Wears Prada 2 isn’t just a rumor anymore; it’s in active development at Disney.
The fashion world has changed. In 2006, we were looking at the peak of "The September Issue" era of print dominance. Now? It’s all TikTok influencers and crumbling ad revenue. Seeing how Miranda Priestly—the undisputed queen of high-fashion gatekeeping—survives in a world where a 19-year-old with a ring light has more reach than a legacy masthead is basically the only reason to make this movie.
What the Plot is Actually About
Forget the fan fiction about Andy running her own magazine. According to early reports from Variety and Puck News, the script for The Devil Wears Prada 2 focuses on the decline of traditional magazine publishing. It’s a bit meta.
Miranda Priestly is still at the helm of Runway, but the prestige is fading. The money is drying up. The central conflict reportedly follows Miranda as she tries to save her career by chasing an advertising deal with a massive luxury goods group. The twist? That group is now headed by none other than Emily Charlton.
Yes, Emily.
The woman who was once desperate for a trip to Paris is now the high-powered executive holding the purse strings. It’s a total power reversal. While the original film was about Andy trying to keep her soul while climbing the ladder, this sequel looks like it’s going to be a "clash of the titans" between two women who have already reached the top and are now fighting over what’s left of the mountain.
Who is Returning for the Sequel?
Casting is everything. Without the original trio, this would just be a direct-to-streaming disaster that we’d all ignore.
- Meryl Streep: She’s reportedly back. You can’t have the movie without her. Her performance as Miranda wasn't just a role; it became a cultural archetype for "the boss from hell" who is also secretly a genius.
- Emily Blunt: She is the catalyst for the new story. Blunt has become a massive A-list star since 2006, and having her return as a powerhouse executive instead of a frazzled assistant is the smartest move the writers could make.
- Aline Brosh McKenna: The original screenwriter is in talks to write the script. This is huge for the "vibe" of the movie. You need that specific, sharp, slightly mean-spirited wit that the first movie nailed.
The big question mark is Anne Hathaway. While Andy Sachs is the heart of the first film, the reported plot focuses heavily on the Miranda vs. Emily dynamic. Hathaway has expressed some skepticism in the past about how Andy’s story could continue, especially since she walked away from the industry at the end of the first film. However, it’s hard to imagine a world where she doesn't at least make a meaningful cameo.
The Industry Shift: Print vs. Digital
The landscape is unrecognizable.
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In 2006, the "Cerulean" speech explained how high fashion trickles down to the bargain bin. Today, trends move at the speed of an algorithm. Runway magazine would be struggling with the same things Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar are dealing with—the death of print ad sales and the rise of "fast-luxury."
The Devil Wears Prada 2 will have to address this. If the movie ignores the fact that magazines are no longer the ultimate tastemakers, it’ll feel like a period piece. The tension between Miranda’s old-school perfectionism and the messy, chaotic world of digital media is a goldmine for comedy. Imagine Miranda Priestly reacting to a "Get Ready With Me" video or a brand partnership with a fast-fashion giant. It writes itself.
David Frankel, the original director, is also reportedly in talks to return. That’s a relief. He knew how to make the clothes look like art and the office feel like a battlefield.
Why a Sequel Now?
Money. Obviously.
But also, the musical. The Devil Wears Prada musical, with music by Elton John, has been making waves in London’s West End. The IP is "warm" again. Gen Z has discovered the movie on streaming, turning Miranda Priestly quotes into endless memes and TikTok sounds. There is a whole new generation that views Miranda not as a villain, but as a "girlboss" (a term she would definitely despise) who was just doing her job in a male-dominated world.
The original film grossed $326 million on a $35 million budget. In today's climate, those are the kinds of numbers studios dream of for a non-superhero movie. Disney knows that if they get the original cast back, they have a guaranteed box office hit and a massive streaming draw for Disney+.
Production Timeline and What to Expect
Don’t expect to see a trailer next month.
The project is still in the early stages of development. Scripting takes time, and aligning the schedules of Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt is a logistical nightmare. Best-case scenario? We might see a late 2025 or early 2026 release date.
The production will likely move between New York and various European fashion hubs. One thing that made the first movie so iconic was the styling by Patricia Field. While Field hasn't been officially linked to the sequel yet, the costumes will be under intense scrutiny. They have to be better than good. They have to be "groundbreaking."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Industry Watchers
If you’re tracking the development of The Devil Wears Prada 2, here is how to stay ahead of the curve and understand the context:
- Follow Trade Publications: Skip the "fan-made" trailers on YouTube. They are fake. Watch Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Puck News for actual casting confirmations and greenlight news.
- Revisit the Source Material: If you haven't read Lauren Weisberger's sequel novel, Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns, you might want to—but don't take it as gospel. The movie sequel is reportedly taking a very different narrative path than the book, focusing on the business side rather than Andy's personal life.
- Watch the West End Musical Updates: The reception of the musical often dictates how much "push" a studio gives a film project. Success on stage usually leads to a faster production timeline for the screen.
- Monitor the Director's Schedule: David Frankel’s involvement is the biggest indicator of quality. If he signs on, expect a film that maintains the sophisticated tone of the original.
The era of the "Preston" and "Emily" is over. We are entering the era of Emily the Boss. It's going to be a long wait, but seeing Miranda Priestly forced to pivot to video might just be worth it.