Gird your loins, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2006 hit “The Devil Wears Prada” premieres on May 1, and I am both excited and nervous to see what the iconic characters have been up to. The original film has always been a favorite of mine and a go-to comfort watch when I am sick or need background noise. I love Anne Hathaway’s portrayal of Andy Sachs, the bumbling assistant to Meryl Streep’s iconic and intimidating Miranda Priestly, editor-in-chief of Runway magazine, and Stanley Tucci’s performance as Nigel, Runway’s fashion director and mentor to Andy Sachs. In my opinion, it is a perfect movie. The New York City setting, soundtrack and, of course, the fashion have helped the film to remain a relevant part of pop culture.
When the sequel was first announced, I had many questions and reservations. Would Meryl Streep reprise her role? Are they going to factor in technology’s impact on print media? Is this sequel even necessary? The original film helped to shape how many people see the fashion industry and romanticized working for print media in the early 2000s. It felt like a completed story, so why make a sequel?
Hollywood has an obsession with rebooting and remaking films. It is no secret that movies like these tend to be safe financial bets for film studios. Expanding on established films with healthy fan bases may pose less risk, yielding well in the box office. This has been seen recently with follow-ups to other films, most notably “Top Gun: Maverick,” the 2022 sequel to “Top Gun,” which was released in 1986. Understandably, there is also a sense of nostalgia that happens when beloved movies are expanded upon. The excitement of seeing familiar characters back on our screens can be very comforting.
There are things about a sequel coming 20 years after the original was released that worry me. Part of what made the original “The Devil Wears Prada” movie so great was the time it was made. Since it is set during the early 2000s, social media was less prevalent and print media was still flourishing. The fashion was amazing and Andy being paged by Miranda while running around New York City made for some funny moments. From what we have seen of the second film’s trailers, technology does appear to be a part of the new storyline as Miranda battles social media and the internet taking over the fashion industry. I am curious to see how this will affect the characters as they head into uncharted territory.
I am also excited for the new cast members being added to the movie. One of the most notable new editions is Simone Ashley. Ashley is most known for playing Kate Sharma in the Netflix series “Bridgerton” and will be taking on the role of Miranda’s assistant, Amari. Andy appears to also be getting a new love interest in the film as Adrian Grenier, who played Nate, her boyfriend in the first film, will not be returning to the cast.
So, while I do have my reservations about “The Devil Wears Prada” getting a sequel almost 20 years later, I will be watching. I am excited for the new cast additions as well as learning what all of these characters have been up to. I also am, of course, excited to see the new fashion moments in the movie as well. “The Devil Wears Prada” may not need a sequel, but I will definitely be watching it. That’s all.