David Frankel: We Seek to Give the Audience a New Part of The Devil Wears Prada
By Ahmed Fawzy
Nearly twenty years after their iconic appearances in the roles of Miranda, Andy, Emily, and Nigel, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci return to the stylish streets of New York and the modern offices of Runway magazine in the highly anticipated sequel to The Devil Wears Prada, which was released in 2006 and helped shape the consciousness of an entire generation. Disney and 20th Century Studios released the official trailer for the sequel, revealing some details about the film, in addition to its official posters and the final global release date, which is set for May 1. The trailer has garnered more than 30 million views across various platforms.
The film reunites the original main cast to stir controversy once again in the world of fashion and media, igniting audience excitement after many years of anticipation, with director David Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna, who was responsible for the script of the original film adapted from Lauren Weisberger’s novel. The film also introduces a new group of characters portrayed by Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon, Helen J. Shen, Pauline Chalamet, B. J. Novak, and Conrad Ricamora. Additionally, Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman return to reprise their roles from the first installment as “Lily” and “Irv.”
Frankel confirmed that the screenplay and dramatic structure of the sequel preserve the spirit of the original film while exploring a new era and the development of the characters after 20 years. He is interested in presenting a mature and deep story, not merely repeating what the audience previously knew. He said, “We seek to give the audience a new installment that preserves the essence and spirit of the first part, while developing the story in a modern context that reflects the changes in the world of fashion and media.”
The sequel revolves around a direct professional rivalry between Miranda Priestly and Emily Charlton, the former assistant who has become a powerful executive competitor and returns to the magazine after years of working as a traveling journalist around the world, an experience clearly reflected in her style and fashion choices. It also focuses on advertising revenues and influence in the fashion world at a time when print journalism is experiencing a sharp decline, through the challenges faced by Runway magazine in 2026 amid the transformations taking place in print media. Meanwhile, Miranda faces a pivotal stage in her professional life as she approaches retirement and attempts to preserve her legacy and influence.
Emily Blunt said, while speaking about returning to film the sequel after nearly 20 years, that working on the film carries deep emotional roots for her and her colleagues, noting that their working relationship has become more than just a film over time due to the impact the first film had on their lives and the audience’s lives. She indicated that the return experience was “very emotional” and filled with feelings.
The film stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon, Helen J. Shen, Pauline Chalamet, B. J. Novak, Conrad Ricamora, Tracie Thoms, and Tibor Feldman. It is directed by David Frankel, written by Aline Brosh McKenna, produced by 20th Century Studios, Sunswept Entertainment, and Wendy Finerman Productions, and distributed by Disney Studios and United Motion Pictures.