Few films from the mid-2000s still spark the kind of passionate debate that The Devil Wears Prada does. Whether you’re wondering about the long-awaited sequel, the real-life inspiration behind Miranda Priestly, or the off-screen friendship between Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt, this guide brings together verified facts and behind-the-scenes stories in one place. By the time you finish, you’ll have a clear picture of where the franchise is headed and why the original still matters.

Release date: June 30, 2006 ·
Director: David Frankel ·
Starring: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt ·
Box office: $326.7 million ·
Sequel status: In development (announced July 2024)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Sequel titled The Devil Wears Prada 2 scheduled for May 1, 2026 (20th Century Studios)
  • Original main cast returning: Streep, Hathaway, Blunt, Tucci (20th Century Studios)
  • Based on Lauren Weisberger’s experience as Anna Wintour’s assistant (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact plot details beyond the logline remain unconfirmed
  • Whether all original supporting cast will return is not fully known
  • Streaming release plans after theatrical run are not announced
  • When filming will begin is not yet confirmed
  • Marketing campaign timeline not announced
3Timeline signal
  • 2003: Novel published (Wikipedia)
  • 2006: Film released (IMDb)
  • July 2024: Sequel announced by Disney (20th Century Studios)
  • May 1, 2026: Sequel release date (20th Century Studios)
4What’s next
  • New cast additions include Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu, Simone Ashley (20th Century Studios)

Five key facts, one pattern: the sequel is moving forward with near-complete original cast reunions, but the story details remain tightly guarded.

Fact Detail
Release date June 30, 2006
Director David Frankel
Lead actors Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt
Box office $326.7 million
Sequel status In development (announced July 2024)

Is there a Devil Wears Prada 2?

Yes — and it’s further along than many fans realize. Disney’s 20th Century Studios officially announced The Devil Wears Prada 2 in July 2024, with a confirmed release date of May 1, 2026 in the United States (20th Century Studios). David Frankel returns to direct, and Aline Brosh McKenna, who wrote the original screenplay, is back to pen the sequel (20th Century Studios).

Has Devil Wears Prada 2 finished filming?

No. As of early 2025, filming has not yet begun. The production is in pre-production, with casting announcements rolling out through late 2024 and early 2025. The film runs 1 hour and 59 minutes and is listed as a comedy-drama (20th Century Studios).

The confirmed returning cast includes Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly, Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs, Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton, and Stanley Tucci as Nigel Kipling (20th Century Studios). New additions to the ensemble include Kenneth Branagh as Stuart Simmons, Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, Simone Ashley, Patrick Brammall, and B.J. Novak (20th Century Studios; Rotten Tomatoes). Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman also reprise their roles as Lily and Irv, respectively (20th Century Studios).

The upshot

For fans hoping for a quick return to Runway, the wait is real: the sequel arrives nearly two decades after the original, and the production timeline means principal photography likely won’t wrap until late 2025.

The plot reportedly follows Andy Sachs as she helps Miranda Priestly navigate a new media landscape and corporate threats to Runway magazine’s survival (Wikipedia). The sequel returns to New York City and the familiar Runway offices (Rotten Tomatoes).

The implication: the sequel is set almost twenty years after the first film, meaning Andy and Miranda’s dynamic will reflect how the fashion and publishing industries have transformed in the digital age.

Bottom line: The sequel is confirmed for 2026 with original cast returning, but filming hasn’t started yet.

What is the true story of the devil wearing Prada?

The film is based on Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel, which draws directly from her 10-month stint as an assistant to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour in the late 1990s (Wikipedia). Wintour is widely recognized as the inspiration for Miranda Priestly, though Weisberger has stated the events are fictionalized.

The real-life inspiration: Anna Wintour and Vogue

  • Weisberger worked at Vogue for 10 months in the late 1990s as Wintour’s assistant (Wikipedia)
  • The novel was published in 2003 and became a bestseller (Wikipedia)
  • The film adaptation was released in 2006 (IMDb)
  • Wintour herself attended the film’s premiere and reportedly found it entertaining (Vanity Fair)
Why this matters

The real-life connection gives the film its bite: Weisberger’s insider perspective on the fashion industry’s power dynamics turned a workplace comedy into a cultural document about ambition, sacrifice, and the price of success.

The pattern: the film’s enduring appeal lies in its blend of authentic industry detail and universal themes — everyone has had a boss who made them feel like Andy in her first week.

Did Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway get along?

Yes — and their friendship has become one of the most heartwarming behind-the-scenes stories from the film. Both actresses have publicly expressed mutual respect and remain close friends who support each other’s work (CBS Mornings).

Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt’s first meeting story

They met at an awards ceremony before filming began. Hathaway has described being nervous to meet Blunt, who was already established in British television. The on-set dynamics were professional and friendly, with both actresses recalling laughter-filled days on set (CBS Mornings).

“I was so nervous to meet her,” Hathaway recalled in a CBS Mornings interview.

— Anne Hathaway

The trade-off: while their characters Emily and Andy are rivals in the film, the real-life friendship adds a layer of irony to the sequel’s premise — two decades later, both actresses are eager to reunite.

What is the famous line from The Devil Wears Prada?

The film is a goldmine of quotable lines, but one stands above the rest. Miranda Priestly’s deadpan delivery of “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.” has become the film’s most enduring cultural touchstone (Vanity Fair).

The ‘Florals for spring’ speech

Delivered while flipping through a fashion layout, the line encapsulates Miranda’s withering contempt for mediocrity. It’s widely quoted in pop culture and has spawned countless memes (Vanity Fair).

The cerulean sweater monologue

Perhaps the film’s most important scene, Miranda’s cerulean sweater monologue explains how the fashion industry’s top-down influence works. She traces a cerulean blue trend from Oscar de la Renta’s runway to a bargain bin, making the case that Andy’s “fashion-free” sweater was chosen for her by designers and editors she claims to ignore (Vanity Fair).

“You go to your closet and you select that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you’re trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don’t know is that that sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis — it’s actually cerulean.”

— Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), The Devil Wears Prada

Other iconic lines include: “By all means, move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me.” and “I’m just one stomach flu away from my goal weight.” (Vanity Fair).

The catch: the cerulean monologue is the film’s thesis statement — it argues that even people who reject fashion are participating in it, making the film as much a critique of consumer ignorance as a celebration of style.

Which actress turned down Devil Wears Prada?

Two notable actresses passed on the role of Andy Sachs before Anne Hathaway was cast. Kate Hudson was the first to be offered the part and declined, later expressing regret for the decision (The Hollywood Reporter). Rachel McAdams also turned down the role (Vanity Fair).

Kate Hudson’s reason for turning down the role

Hudson has said she felt the script didn’t resonate with her at the time, though she later acknowledged it was a mistake. In interviews, she’s described watching the finished film and realizing she’d misjudged the material (The Hollywood Reporter).

What to watch

For casting what-ifs, the Hudson and McAdams rejections are a reminder that even successful films hinge on timing and instinct — and that the right actor can make a role definitive.

The pattern: both actresses who passed have successful careers, but Hathaway’s performance as Andy Sachs became a defining role that launched her into A-list status.

Additional sources

imdb.com, imdb.com, instagram.com

Fans eager to learn more about the real-life inspiration can explore the true story behind the film for verified details.

Frequently asked questions

Who directed The Devil Wears Prada?

David Frankel directed the 2006 film (IMDb).

What year was The Devil Wears Prada released?

The film was released on June 30, 2006 (IMDb).

Is The Devil Wears Prada based on a book?

Yes, it is based on Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel of the same name (Wikipedia).

What is the rating of The Devil Wears Prada?

The film is rated PG-13 for some sensuality and language (MPAA).

Did Meryl Streep win an Oscar for The Devil Wears Prada?

No, but she was nominated for Best Actress at the 79th Academy Awards (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences).

Where was The Devil Wears Prada filmed?

The film was shot primarily in New York City and Paris (IMDb).

How long is The Devil Wears Prada?

The film runs 1 hour and 49 minutes (IMDb).

What is the budget of The Devil Wears Prada?

The film had a production budget of $35 million (Box Office Mojo).

For fans of the original, the sequel represents a rare opportunity: a nearly complete cast reunion two decades later, with the same creative team behind the camera. The question isn’t whether it will be made — it’s whether it can capture the same cultural lightning in a bottle. For Disney and 20th Century Studios, the choice is clear: deliver a story that honors the original’s sharp wit and industry insight, or risk disappointing a generation that has been quoting Miranda Priestly for nearly 20 years.

Bottom line: The Devil Wears Prada 2 is real, scheduled for May 1, 2026, with Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway returning. The wait is almost over, but filming hasn’t started yet.

For more entertainment guides, check out our articles on Pretty Little Liars and Gone with the Wind.