It has been nearly twenty years since Andy Sachs threw her Chanel-clad self into that fountain in Paris. Twenty years. Let that sink in for a second. We’ve spent two decades quoting Miranda Priestly’s "bore someone else with your questions" while secretly hoping for a second helping of that delicious, high-fashion misery. Well, the rumors aren't just rumors anymore. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is officially in the works at Disney, and honestly, the fashion world is vibrating.
It's happening.
But it isn't going to be a carbon copy of the first film. The industry has changed. Print media is, well, struggling to stay on life support. You can’t exactly run a monolithic fashion magazine the same way you did in 2006. Back then, a Blackberry was the height of chic. Now? If Miranda isn't navigating TikTok trends and the death of the "September Issue" as we know it, the movie will feel like a museum piece.
The Plot Shift: Miranda vs. Emily?
The most fascinating part of the early reports involves the power dynamic. According to Puck News, which broke the initial scoop, the sequel flips the script on the traditional mentor-mentee relationship. In the original, Emily Charlton (played by the incomparable Emily Blunt) was the stressed-out first assistant desperate for a trip to Paris. In The Devil Wears Prada 2, Emily is reportedly a high-powered executive at a luxury fashion conglomerate.
Think LVMH or Kering.
Miranda Priestly, meanwhile, is facing the harsh reality of a declining magazine industry. The prestige of Runway doesn't pay the bills like it used to. To save her legacy, she might actually have to ask Emily for help—specifically, for advertising dollars. It’s a delicious reversal. Imagine Miranda Priestly, the woman who once scoffed at "cerulean," having to play nice with the woman she used to terrorize.
The stakes are different now. In 2006, the drama was about whether Andy could keep her soul while keeping her job. In 2026, the drama is about survival in a digital-first world where influencers have more front-row pull than editors-in-chief.
Who is actually coming back?
This is where things get a bit tricky. Meryl Streep is reportedly in talks to return, which is basically the only way this movie works. You can't have Runway without its queen. Emily Blunt is also expected to return, which makes sense given her character is central to the new plot.
What about Anne Hathaway?
Hathaway has been famously hesitant in past interviews. She told Vogue and The View multiple times that a sequel probably wouldn't happen because of how much the world has changed. However, recent reports suggest she’s in the mix. If Andy Sachs returns, she probably won't be an assistant. Maybe she's a serious journalist now, looking at the fashion world from the outside? Or perhaps she’s the one bridge between Miranda’s old-school prestige and Emily’s new-school corporate power.
Aline Brosh McKenna, the original screenwriter, is reportedly back to pen the script. That’s a massive win for fans. She’s the one who gave the first film its bite. She understood that the movie wasn't just about clothes; it was about the crushing weight of excellence. David Frankel, the director of the original, is also in talks to return.
Why a Sequel Matters in the Age of Fast Fashion
The original film was a critique of the industry disguised as a glamorous romp. It showed the ugly underbelly of "clackers" and "size zeros." But the fashion landscape of the mid-2000s was a playground compared to today’s mess of Shein hauls and sustainability crises.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 has a chance to tackle the modern beast.
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How does Miranda Priestly feel about "quiet luxury"? What does she think of AI-generated models or the fact that anyone with a ring light can call themselves a critic? There is so much meat on the bone here. If the writers lean into the friction between the old guard and the new digital era, they’ve got a hit. If they just try to remake the first movie with better iPhones, it’ll flop.
The fashion world is also much more conscious of its flaws now. Diversity, inclusion, and environmental impact aren't just buzzwords; they are requirements for staying relevant. Seeing Miranda navigate those "inconvenient" realities would be comedic gold.
- The Budget Factor: Disney is behind this now, following their acquisition of 21st Century Fox. This means the budget will likely be massive. Expect the costumes to be even more insane than the original $1 million wardrobe.
- The Release Timeline: We are likely looking at a 2026 or 2027 release date. Scripting and coordinating the schedules of three A-list stars takes time.
- The Missing Link: Stanley Tucci. Please, Hollywood, give us Nigel. His chemistry with Emily Blunt and Meryl Streep was the heart of the first film. Without Nigel to provide the cynical emotional core, the sequel might feel hollow.
The Reality of "Legacy Sequels"
We’ve seen a lot of these lately. Top Gun: Maverick worked because it respected the original while evolving the story. Sex and the City’s revival, And Just Like That..., has been... polarizing, to say the least. The danger with The Devil Wears Prada 2 is losing the sharpness.
Miranda Priestly isn't a "girl boss." She isn't a misunderstood hero. She’s a brilliant, terrifying, and often cruel woman who happens to be the best at what she does. If the sequel tries to "soften" her or make her more relatable for modern sensibilities, it will fail. We don't want a nice Miranda. We want a Miranda who can dismiss an entire career with a single look.
The first film worked because it didn't apologize for the world it portrayed. It was aspirational and exclusionary all at once. To capture that lightning in a bottle twice, the production needs to maintain that edge.
What to Expect Next
The official green light is one thing, but the production phase is where the magic happens. We should watch for casting calls and director attachments over the next twelve months. There will be a lot of noise. People will complain that "nobody asked for this," but those same people will be the first in line on opening night.
Fashion moves fast. Culture moves faster. The Devil Wears Prada 2 has to prove that Miranda Priestly is still the one setting the pace.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you are a die-hard fan looking to stay ahead of the curve as production ramps up, there are a few things you can do to track the project and revisit the lore authentically.
Monitor Industry Trade Publications Avoid tabloid rumors. Stick to Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Puck News. These are the outlets where actual contract signings and production start dates are confirmed. If it isn't in the trades, it’s probably fan fiction.
Revisit the Source Material Lauren Weisberger wrote a sequel novel titled Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns back in 2013. While the movie is reportedly taking a different direction (focusing on the Miranda/Emily dynamic rather than Andy’s wedding), the book offers a glimpse into how the author envisioned these characters ten years later. It’s a quick read and sets the mood for the high-stakes world of New York publishing.
Watch the "Life After" Interviews The 15th-anniversary reunion hosted by Entertainment Weekly is essential viewing. It features Streep, Hathaway, Blunt, and Tucci discussing their characters' motivations. Understanding their perspective on the characters helps you spot whether the sequel is staying true to the original's DNA or drifting into "fan service" territory.
Analyze Modern Fashion Media To understand what the sequel will likely satirize, follow the current state of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Look at how they’ve integrated video content and social media. The "Devil" of 2026 won't be fighting over a physical layout on a board; she'll be fighting over an algorithm. Observing this shift now will make the jokes in the sequel land much harder when it finally hits theaters.
Keep an eye on Patricia Field’s social media as well. While she didn't return for the SATC reboot, her influence on the original Prada aesthetic was monumental. Whether she returns or a new stylist takes the reigns will be the first major indicator of the film's visual direction. That's all.