What Convinced Meryl Streep To Return For The Devil Wears Prada 2

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Meryl Streep had said she wouldn’t do any sequels, but over the past ten years, many people have asked for her to return to the world of The Devil Wears Prada.

Meryl Streep initially wasn’t keen on making sequels, but her return for Mamma Mia 2 seemed to change her mind. Now, she’s reprising her role as Miranda Priestly in a new film, the demanding editor-in-chief of Runway magazine—a character inspired by Vogue‘s Anna Wintour. While the first film showed glimpses of a softer side to Miranda, she ultimately prioritized her career at Runway. The sequel continues this theme, with Priestley facing new professional hurdles as the magazine industry evolves.

Liam Crowley from ScreenRant interviewed the writer and director of the upcoming movie to discuss the film and how they got Meryl Streep to reprise her role in the sequel.

It Was The Film’s Fresh Take On The Fashion Magazine World That Got Streep To Sign On

While Meryl Streep famously said she wouldn’t do a sequel, both the writer of The Devil Wears Prada 2, Aline Brosh McKenna (who also wrote the first film), and director David Frankel were initially hesitant. Ultimately, it was McKenna’s compelling idea for the second movie that convinced everyone to move forward.

Aline Brosh McKenna has stated repeatedly, including as far back as 2021, that they had no plans to make a sequel.

David Frankel felt Aline had a fantastic idea for the sequel, which really motivated him. He believes Meryl Streep was convinced they could offer a fresh perspective on the characters and their world, especially because the magazine industry had changed so much in the past two decades, giving them new things to explore.

Miranda Priestley Might Not Be The Film’s Antagonist After All

The first film portrayed Miranda Priestley as a harsh and intimidating figure, but the sequel shows a more complex and nuanced side to her character. Despite this change, the tension between Miranda and Andy Sachs remains, as they continue to clash due to their differing values and perspectives.

Aline Brosh McKenna believes this character remains a challenge for Andy, and continues to push her to question her own values – just like in the first film, which she describes as a modern retelling of the Faust legend.

From the start, there’s tension because Andy wasn’t Miranda’s choice – he’s brought in by the company, which Miranda dislikes. This creates an immediate conflict between them. And beyond that, the movie features several characters who could be seen as villainous figures.

One bright spot in this new film is the fashion. ScreenRant interviewed the cast and costume designer, Molly Rogers, to discuss how the style has changed over the past two decades, especially considering the rise of quickly-changing trends and fast fashion.

How The Fashion In The Devil Wears Prada 2 Has Evolved Since The First Film

Molly Rogers notes that shopping has changed dramatically with the speed of modern life. While she now relies on assistants to handle the fast-paced online shopping – spending hours each day browsing and adding items to virtual carts – she doesn’t enjoy it. She prefers the traditional experience of going out, interacting with people, and physically feeling fabrics. It’s a completely different way of shopping now.

When Pat Field and I worked on the first film, we scheduled visits to showrooms to see fabrics and clothing in person. I don’t recall using digital catalogs back then. We’d actually go and examine the materials, even feel a Dior jacket… It was a different process. It’s not necessarily better or worse now, things have just become much faster.

Rogers determines each character’s wardrobe by carefully studying the script. She wants the fashion to reflect who they are and what brands suit them, and she makes sure no one wears the same outfit throughout The Devil Wears Prada 2.

I reviewed the script, which was a good starting point. What bothers me is when scripts include vague details like ‘she’s carrying a bag’ without specifying a brand. It feels like a temporary placeholder, and I need to figure out what would actually work. I always start by reading the script and talking with the director and writer – they’ve been working on the project much longer than I have, so they have a lot of valuable insights. Before I even start shopping, I gather information from them and create visual presentations to share with the actors. I show them my ideas for the character’s style and ask for their input: ‘Do you like this look? Does this brand feel right for the character?’ It’s a collaborative process, and we need a clear plan to ensure everyone is on the same page.

I always plan outfits carefully. For example, if there’s a selection of white blouses, I choose a specific one for each person – Miranda, Annie, Andrea, and Emily – ensuring no two wear the same thing. They all have distinct styles; for instance, none of them wear bows.

Let’s talk about Anne Hathaway’s style in these films. Honestly, working with her has been the biggest challenge for the costume designer, and in a good way! It’s fascinating to see how her character has grown between the first and second movies, and that journey is completely reflected in what she wears. The designer really had to map out that evolution, and it’s a key part of how we see the character change.

Molly Rogers felt that Anne Hathaway’s character was the most complex and interesting. It was a positive role, showing a character who was improving her life. Unlike the other characters who were stuck in their careers, Hathaway’s character had broadened her horizons by traveling the world as a journalist. This background meant her character needed a wardrobe that reflected her experiences – including well-worn, vintage items, like a classic leather messenger bag, to suggest her life as a reporter. Overall, she felt the character had a lot more depth.

We talked a lot – probably more than necessary. It felt like we defined Miranda Priestly’s look faster than we showed Andrea’s growth from experiencing life outside of that exclusive, high-fashion bubble.

Everything Else The Devil Wears Prada 2 Cast & Team Said About The Film

ScreenRant asks if Justin Theroux’s character – who talks about bizarre space journeys and disastrously manages a magazine – is based on a real person.

Aline Brosh McKenna described Justin as incredibly funny. She was chatting with him over Zoom about the script – something she likes to do when new actors join the project – and noticed something about his character. She pointed out that she thought the character wasn’t drinking water, as he felt he didn’t need to. Justin immediately responded with, “Yeah, I’m running an aqua deficit.” McKenna said that witty line was perfect.

He’s wonderfully playful and brings so much energy to the character, which is why I love him.

In the movie, Jin’s character clearly looks up to Anne Hathaway’s character and aspires to be like her as she becomes successful. As an actor, what did you take away from working so closely with Anne Hathaway and how did that experience impact your approach to your craft?

It was wonderful to see Anne not limit herself with expectations. She’d already had such a varied career, working in musicals, dramatic roles, and romantic comedies. What I admired most was that she didn’t let past roles define her; she used those experiences to learn and grow.

Watching her work—fully embodying her artistry, taking charge, and even wanting to create her own projects—is incredibly inspiring. It shows me that you can control your own path and achieve anything you set your mind to.

ScreenRant asked about the characters’ amazing costumes and how similar they are to what the actors wear in their own lives.

Caleb Hearon: Mine’s far.

I feel like my design is quite different from the others, mainly because Jin uses bolder colors and patterns than I usually do. I admire how resourceful Jin is and I’m trying to be more like that myself – to make the most of what I have.

I had a lot of fun thrift shopping this weekend! It’s similar to vintage shopping, and I found some great things at a place called Procell in the Bowery neighborhood of New York City. I even snagged a Chanel skirt – you should definitely check it out if you’re in the area.

Caleb Hearon: Mine’s far. I’m dressing like Kevin James in King of Queens.

Helen J. Shen: Me too, honestly!

Check out more of our The Devil Wears Prada 2 coverage here:

  • The Devil Wears Prada 2 Review: This Winning Sequel Delivers More Than Just Sleek Looks
  • The Devil Wears Prada 2 Rotten Tomatoes Score Revealed
  • The Devil Wears Prada 2’s Celebrity Cameos Explained By Director

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2026-05-01 19:12