Gird your loins for this update.
Oh my goodness, when they finally revealed the release date for the “The Devil Wears Prada” sequel, set for May 2026, it felt like a dream come true! But then Emily Blunt announced that filming will start in July, and that news was more thrilling than any spring fashion trend. I can hardly wait to see her back on the big screen as Andy Sachs!
Apart from verifying the recent update with Entertainment Tonight on June 10th, she also clarified rumors that her character Emily Charlton has been promoted to a high-ranking executive and will confront Meryl Streep’s character, Miranda Priestly, in the sequel.
She playfully joked, “Why is it that our characters are always at odds in every film we make together?” She quipped to the press. “We’ve got a running feud going on. I can’t quite put my finger on why. Here’s hoping we find a solution. I’m not quite sure yet.
Even though the production of the movie is still in its initial stages, the actress from “Fall Guy” has been very secretive about the plot. At the American Institute for Stuttering’s 19th Annual Gala, she confided to TopMob News, “I’m afraid I can’t reveal anything to you.
She underlined her enthusiasm by saying, “We are genuinely thrilled, extremely thrilled.” (Tune in to TopMob News tonight, June 11, at 11 p.m.)
As a devoted fan, I’ve eagerly waited for two decades, even though the follow-up seems leisurely paced compared to the initial movie. However, it brings me joy to know that the original cast members have been eagerly waiting in the wings, prepared to reprise their roles when the right moment arrives.
I’m buzzing with excitement, folks! There are some incredible developments brewing, and I can hardly contain my enthusiasm! We’re all on pins and needles, eagerly awaiting the next big thing.” (This was said at the Red Sea International Film Festival in December.)
Meanwhile, Stanley Tucci, who won the hearts of many as Nige Kipling, the mentor to Andy Sachs played by Anne Hathaway, shared with TopMob News that he’d gladly revisit the role again.
Stanley shared back in October, “Indeed, it was quite an enjoyable moment, don’t you agree?” He added, “If the opportunity arises again – considering we’d need to sort out all the details – I believe it would be something exciting for everyone.
Although Anne hasn’t spoken about the sequel as of now, she had earlier pondered on where her character might be at present. According to her interview with TopMob in 2022, “Andy currently resides in Paris and I believe she is writing for a fantastic French women’s magazine.
She excitedly shared that the individual is likely a staff writer who is proficient in French, and added that while she doesn’t believe the person is married, they may have one or more children. In closing, she expressed that the person seems quite impressive.
Information about the shortcomings of a character might not grab the attention of Miranda Priestly, but here are some fascinating behind-the-scenes truths about “The Devil Wears Prada” you shouldn’t miss! Dive in for a delightful exploration of this timeless film.
-Reporting by Nancy Harrison
The film adaptation of “The Devil Wears Prada” was under development before the book was even published, as just the first 100 pages and a plot outline were enough to convince Fox executives about the potential of the novel, which is based on author Lauren Weisberger’s brief experience working as Anna Wintour’s assistant at Vogue. “I was the first person to read it at Fox 2000,” recalled Carla Hacken, a former executive vice president at the studio, in an interview with Variety in 2016. “I thought Miranda Priestly was one of the best villains ever. I remember we moved quickly to secure it.
The adaptation for the movie started even before the 2003 publication of the bestselling book, but after four authors attempted to write a straightforward story, Aline Brosh McKenna was assigned the job of writing a new script focusing on the sacrifices women make to climb up the editorial ladder in fashion magazines. “I wrote an initial draft rather swiftly – it took me approximately a month,” McKenna shared with the outlet. “After that, I rewrote it based on everyone’s feedback.
2. The legend surrounding Anna Wintour posed numerous challenges during the production process. As McKenna shared with Entertainment Weekly, many in the fashion world were reluctant to engage with her due to fear of Anna and Vogue, for they didn’t want to risk being shunned. There was only one individual who shared information with her, a person whose identity she vowed to protect, who upon reading it remarked, “The characters in this film are excessively kind. No one in that realm is excessively kind. They don’t need to be, and they don’t have the luxury of being.” In response, McKenna adjusted the script to make each character appear somewhat more rushed and unkind.
In an admission to Entertainment Weekly, director David Frankel found it challenging to obtain locations due to Wintour’s extensive influence. He explained, “The Met Ball created a situation where the Metropolitan Museum had no interest in collaborating with us.” Additionally, Bryant Park, which was then hosting New York Fashion Week for an extended period, was also unavailable.
I myself found some renowned apartment buildings that seemed like potential options for Miranda’s apartment, but unfortunately, the co-op boards denied us entry. Eventually, we were fortunate enough to secure a five-story townhouse on the Upper East Side, graciously lent to us by a friend of producer Wendy Finerman.
3. In our interaction with Vogue, it was just Jess Gonchor, the production designer, who managed to sneak into their offices for a peek at Anna’s workspace. He did an exceptional job recreating the office so authentically that I was informed Anna redecorated her own office right after the movie release. (First person perspective)
4. The wardrobe posed an unusual hurdle too. At first, as Frankel shared with EW, they struggled to get renowned designers to provide items for the movie: “They refused out of fear of upsetting Anna.
As a lifestyle connoisseur, I was privileged to welcome the iconic fashion influencer, Patricia Field, who meticulously curated an impressive collection of approximately 150 items. The lineup included pieces from design houses such as Donna Karan, Zac Posen, Rick Owens, and yes, Prada. Field ensured that Meryl Streep’s character, Miranda Priestly, stood out distinctly from Anna Wintour in the movie. Streep herself shared an amusing anecdote about the meticulousness of the costume selection. “She borrowed everything,” Streep said, “we had to be extremely cautious not to indulge in spaghetti at lunch as it could easily stain and ruin the costumes we couldn’t return!
5. And Wintour has a bit of a chuckle about the situation. Streep chatted with the Vogue editor for the magazine’s 125th anniversary issue, discussing her role in portraying Wintour’s late friend Katherine Graham in the 2017 film The Post. When asked about the most difficult character she had ever played, Streep hesitated and said, “Well, I might as well admit…” only for Wintour to interrupt with a laugh, “No, no!” she said playfully, “We’re not going there, Meryl.
6. Notably, Wintour also graced the screening event, which coincidentally matched Weisberger’s attendance as well. Later on, she shared with 60 Minutes that the movie was purely for entertainment, stating it did not accurately portray the happenings within the magazine.
7. Among all actresses, Streep was the clear choice for the role of Miranda, as acknowledged by studio VP Hacken to Variety. In fact, they hadn’t even contemplated any other options. When the news reached Hacken that Streep (the Oscar winner) had read the script and agreed to meet with the director, she was overjoyed and exclaimed in her office.
Meryl Streep expressed her admiration for the character’s unyielding strength and refusal to compromise, stating that she appreciated the portrayal of aspects that weren’t sugarcoated or softened. As her friend Carrie Fisher would put it, there was no attempt to win people over through flattery, which is often a female tactic in trying to get one’s way – a strategy Miranda chose not to use.
8. In a manner reminiscent of Miranda Priestly, Streep chose to negotiate her role before accepting it. Although she had already won two Oscars and received eleven nominations by then, Streep wasn’t yet accustomed to requesting higher compensation. However, on this occasion, she made her demands clear.
She clarified to Variety that the initial offer seemed, in her opinion, not entirely fair or representative of her true worth to the project. She stated that it felt like a parting gesture, but soon after, they increased the offer significantly. At age 55, she had recently learned how to negotiate for herself effectively.
10. In my role as a lifestyle expert, when working with Miranda, I found that there were additional requirements to consider. To avoid turning this character into a stereotype, Meryl Streep was particular about including two specific scenes. The first, which she referred to as “the fashion business,” demonstrated how the trendsetter imparted her wisdom on Andy regarding her iconic cerulean sweater. The second scene, labeled “the unarmored moment,” took place in a hotel room and showcased Miranda without her protective layers.
The white hair was also Meryl Streep’s idea, as she appeared with her frosty tresses for a discussion with the studio head. According to director Frankel, who spoke to EW, “Meryl embodied Miranda during that meeting, and there wasn’t any talk about the hair; they simply looked into Meryl’s eyes without saying a word.
10. Anne Hathaway labored more to secure her role compared to Andy, who had a relatively easier time getting Miranda’s part. Granted, it wasn’t an extreme struggle, but as she shared on RuPaul’s Drag Race, “I was the ninth choice for The Devil Wears Prada.
Despite Hathaway not needing to audition, she had to be patient. She even took the initiative to leave a bold message in Hacken’s zen garden, spelling out “hire me”. When Hathaway eventually received the news, she was in her bedroom getting ready to put on a shirt. According to her, she recalled running out into her living room, only half dressed, ecstatically shouting, “I got The Devil Wears Prada! I got The Devil Wears Prada!” to her friends.
It turned out favorably for me, as the executives rejected my offer multiple times. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Frankel shared that he approached Rachel McAdams with the role on three occasions. At the time, McAdams was engrossed in filming The Family Stone for Fox and had just come off the success of Mean Girls and The Notebook. She expressed her reluctance to jump into another mainstream production. As Frankel put it, “The studio was adamant about having her on board, while she was resolute in not taking up the role.
Meryl Streep’s performance in the 2005 Academy Award-winning film, “Brokeback Mountain,” alongside Anne Hathaway, played a significant role in persuading the star of “The Princess Diaries.” According to Frankel, Streep watched that particular scene, met with her, and then phoned Tom Rothman at Fox, stating, “This girl is terrific, I believe we’ll collaborate well together.
12. The task of selecting Emily as the character proved to be an additional challenge. Frankel observed over a hundred actresses vying for the position of Miranda’s stern personal assistant (including Tracie Thoms, who later auditioned for the role of Lily, Andy’s best friend), but it was the modestly dressed Emily Blunt who stood out to him.
As I was busy preparing for my audition on the Fox studio lot for the 2006 fantasy film ‘Eragon’, a casting agent approached me with an unexpected opportunity – to try out for ‘The Devil Wears Prada’. However, in the midst of rushing off to catch a flight, I found myself in a flustered state. So there I was, wearing sweatpants and reading for the part, but unfortunately, I didn’t quite fit the image they had in mind. I shared this anecdote during my appearance on ‘The Late Late Show’ in May 2021.
A few days passed, and Blunt, still mourning over not getting a role in Eragon, received a call from Frankel. “I was at some seedy club in London,” Blunt explained to Variety. “I called him back from the restroom. He said, ‘Hey, I would have cast you based on the tape, but the studio wants to see you one more time. Could you repeat your audition, but dress the part this time?’
13. She perfectly fit the role. Initially, Emily was designed as an American character, but when screenwriter McKenna heard Blunt speak her witty lines with a British accent, they decided to modify the script to incorporate more British expressions, which they did over coffee. (McKenna shared this with Entertainment Weekly.)
In another instance, Blunt should rightfully be praised for a line she borrowed from a harried mom. “I guess I take things from people I encounter,” the actress admitted on The Howard Stern Show. “While we were filming, I overheard a mother scolding her child in a supermarket. It’s a phrase that’s often repeated to me now. The mother angrily told her kid and she made a gesture with her hand, saying, ‘Yes, I’m listening to this, and I want to hear this.’ I incorporated it into the movie.
14. Apart from his acting roles, Stanley Tucci played a significant part in creating memorable lines as well. After producers spent numerous months searching for the perfect actor to portray Runway art director Nigel, Tucci stepped in at the last minute and accepted the role. Subsequently, he expertly captured Nigel’s dry wit, even improvising some of his most famous quotes.
In a conversation with Buzzfeed, Tucci commented on his favorite part of the show being when Miranda first enters the office and causes a commotion. He said that the cast couldn’t stop laughing, and David kept suggesting lines for him to deliver. The line “Gird your loins” was ultimately chosen, while some other lines like “‘Tits in!'” were left out. Tucci revealed this additional line to Entertainment Weekly, stating that he improvised it during the laughter.
15. Without a doubt, his most cherished keepsake from the film is his family. Tucci managed to maintain a strong bond with co-star Blunt, which led him to being invited to her 2010 wedding to John Krasinski. It was at this event that he rekindled a relationship with Felicity Blunt, a literary agent whom he later married in 2012. Since then, they have become parents to Matteo and Emilia.
At the 2006 premiere of the film we’re discussing, I had an encounter that would later change my life. At that time, I was married to my late wife, Kate Tucci, who had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. After the movie, her treatments began, and then we held the premiere. Miraculously, she lived for another four years after that event. On this very special night, Emily’s sister, who is now my wife, Felicity, spoke with Kate. I have a photograph of them together, which seems quite peculiar in retrospect.
16. Similar to Hathaway, Thoms recalls the specific instance when she learned she would portray Lily, as it happened on her 30th birthday in August 2005. The star of Rent felt reasonably assured about her audition— “By that stage in my career, I had settled into this ‘best friend’ role. So I thought, ‘Lily’s a breeze. That fits perfectly with my skills'”—but she was equally excited when she received the news.
She reminisced to TopMob News about her time in Dartmouth where she participated in a workshop for a new play written by Alan Ball. It was during lunch at the cafeteria when she received the news, and it went something like, “‘Hey, congrats! You’ve been cast in The Devil Wears Prada. Enjoy your birthday!'” She considered this a memorable occasion on her special day.
17. Thomas recalls seeing Adrian Grenier, who was popular during the peak of Entourage stardom, surrounded by fans and gracefully handling each autograph request by distributing CDs from his alt-folk band The Honey Brothers instead.
Thoms observed that Grenier, playing Andy’s boyfriend Nate, was taking advantage of the opportunity to elevate his bandmates since he wasn’t the lead singer of the band. He admired how thoughtful Grenier was in acknowledging and valuing everyone individually, and returning the support they gave him by shining a light on his fellow band members.
18. Though Thoms found the entire adventure utterly delightful, saying it felt like they were living out a “Sex and the City” episode, she admits to having one small disappointment.
In a pivotal moment, she intentionally chose not to see the Marc Jacobs bag that both Lily and Thoms adored, so their reactions would be authentic. As she put it, “I instructed the prop team to keep the handbag hidden until we started filming, as I wanted the surprise and excitement to be real.” And boy, did they react! Their awe-struck gasps, grabbing, and repeated demands of “Give it to me!” were all genuine because that purse was truly stunning.
Admittedly, the bag was so appealing that she had devised a plan to ensure it stayed with her, as she shared with TopMob News. However, the scene where she would inadvertently leave the bag behind in her trailer and then return to retrieve it, was omitted from the final edit. As a result, she didn’t have to go back to work to get the purse, which was quite disappointing.
19. Initially, it was Meryl Streep who wasn’t heading to Paris. At first, no one was planning to go to the City of Light to film the final scenes for Miranda and Andy’s trip to Paris Fashion Week. Frankel expressed shock when he shared this with Variety. However, during production, Frankel managed to create a compelling preview (sizzle reel) that convinced the studio to release the movie in summer, with an expanded budget.
Hathaway and Simon Baker (playing her other romantic interest, Christian the writer), rather than Streep, traveled to France for two days of filming, while Streep recorded her scenes in New York City. The production team noted that it would be extremely costly to have Streep travel instead.
In my professional opinion as a lifestyle expert, opting out on the joyful camaraderie turned out to be a regrettable decision for Meryl Streep. She chose to immerse herself deeply into her Miranda character and distance herself from the set’s lively conversations, an experience she later described to Entertainment Weekly as “awful.” The laughter and merriment echoing around her left her feeling desolate. “I was so down! I thought, ‘This is the cost of being in charge!’ That will be the last time I ever attempt a Method approach!
Prior to Meryl Streep appearing nervous, she briefly encouraged her colleague Hathaway, as Hathaway shared with People, saying, “I want you to know I believe you will excel, and it’s a pleasure working with you…and that’s the last positive comment I’ll give you.
That’s all.
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2025-06-11 19:48