The fashion world is abuzz with the potential for The Devil Wears Prada 3, as stars Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt, alongside director David Frankel, have openly discussed the possibility of a third installment. This comes hot on the heels of the long-awaited sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2, which arrives two decades after the original hit.
While fans are just getting ready to revisit the iconic characters, the conversation is already shifting to what might come next. The decision for another film, according to Hathaway, will largely hinge on the box office performance of the upcoming sequel.
The Return of Runway
The Devil Wears Prada 2 sees Anne Hathaway’s character, Andy Sachs, return to Runway magazine as a senior editor, once again crossing paths with Miranda Priestly and Nigel Kipling. Emily Blunt’s character, Emily, has ascended to an executive role at Dior, marking significant career progression for both.
Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci reprise their beloved roles, cementing the core cast's return. New faces joining the star-studded ensemble include acclaimed actors Kenneth Branagh and Justin Theroux, promising fresh dynamics.
Unlike the original 2003 film, which was based on Lauren Weisberger’s novel, The Devil Wears Prada 2 features an entirely original screenplay penned by Aline Brosh McKenna.
"More Road to Explore" Says Hathaway
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Anne Hathaway expressed her hopes for a continuing saga. “I hope so, I feel like there’s more road to explore,” Hathaway stated, adding, “But, we’ll probably have a better idea of that [when the film comes out].”
Director David Frankel echoed a similar sentiment, suggesting the characters hold enduring potential. “Let’s see what happens,” Frankel told EW. “It’s show business. It’s anybody’s guess. We said no 20 years ago, and here we are.”
Frankel further elaborated on the rich tapestry of the film's universe: “I don’t want to say yes now. They are very rich characters, they’re amazing actors, there’s great screenwriting, so I could imagine that these characters might live on.”
Emily Blunt also weighed in, sharing her desire for more shared screen time with Stanley Tucci in any future installment. She admitted they wanted “a little more to chew on together” in the sequel, hinting at a fan-favorite pairing.
Analysis: The Enduring Appeal of Legacy Sequels
The mere discussion of The Devil Wears Prada 3 before the second film’s release underscores a significant trend in Hollywood: the power of established intellectual property and audience nostalgia. For stars like Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Meryl Streep, reprising these roles isn't just a paycheque; it's a chance to reconnect with iconic characters that defined significant points in their careers and resonated deeply with audiences.
A successful third film would reaffirm their enduring star power and versatility, potentially revitalizing interest in their broader filmographies. For the industry, the long gap between films, followed by a sequel and immediate talks of a third, reflects a careful strategy to leverage existing fanbases while attempting to expand into new generations.
This approach mirrors the success of other legacy sequels like Top Gun: Maverick or even long-running franchises like Mission: Impossible, where original cast members return to elevate the material. The emphasis on box office success, however, highlights the precarious nature of these ventures, where nostalgia alone isn't enough to guarantee a cinematic universe.
