Devil Wears Prada 2 cast explain why they came back | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Cultural Relevance: The necessity of a sequel to address contemporary societal shifts.
• Journalism Crisis: The decline of traditional print media in the age of digital disruption.
• Digital Disruption: The impact of smartphones, social media, and AI on professional industries.
• Female Ambition: The ongoing societal stigma surrounding women who prioritize their careers.
• Character Evolution: How the "core four" (Miranda, Andy, Emily, and Nigel) have adapted to a changing world over 20 years.

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1. The Necessity of the Sequel

The cast emphasizes that The Devil Wears Prada 2 was only greenlit because it addresses the "seismic changes" in society. Meryl Streep notes that a sequel must have a "necessity for being." Unlike the first film, which predated the iPhone, the new installment reflects a world where technology has fundamentally altered how we work and consume information.

2. The Crisis in Journalism

A central theme of the film is the precarious state of the journalism industry. The cast highlights a "clarion call" from the editor-in-chief of The New York Times, who urged the public to subscribe to long-form journalism to save the industry. The film argues that the fate of journalism rests with the audience, suggesting that individuals must "participate in the world they want to live in."

3. Female Ambition and Professional Identity

The film continues to explore the challenges faced by women in the workplace. Meryl Streep points out that ambition is still frequently viewed as an "unattractive quality in women," a sentiment that remains "alive and kicking." The film portrays Andrea as a character who successfully balances her dreams and conscience through her work, providing a rare representation of women who prioritize their careers.

4. Character Arcs and Evolution

• Emily: Now a high-level executive at Dior, she has evolved to understand the intersection of fashion and retail. While she still desires to be "iconic," she has become more pragmatic about where the money lies.
• Nigel: Stanley Tucci describes Nigel’s role as one of "steady devotion," acting as the backbone for Miranda. He remains the person who ensures their shared creation maintains its integrity, even while taking a backseat to the central female leads.
• The "Core Four": The cast rejects the idea that the film is solely about the three women, insisting it is about the dynamic between all four characters and how they "reflect off each other" in a new era.

5. Notable Quotes

• Meryl Streep on the industry: "When the New York Times is out there pitching for the health of the entire industry, that’s a big... I’m not sure we’ve been here before."
• Meryl Streep on the film's goal: "What I hope people take is just to preserve the human."
• Meryl Streep on ambition: "Stories about women who love what they do and who work at it and who do prioritize it... are few and far between in Hollywood."

6. Methodology: Bridging the Demographic Gap

When asked how to bridge the gap between the original audience (who are now adults) and new viewers, the cast argues against "catering" to specific demographics. Instead, they focus on making the "best movie possible." They note that the first film’s success was its universal appeal, even reaching unexpected audiences like men who were "dragged along" to the theater but ended up loving the film.

7. Synthesis and Conclusion

The Devil Wears Prada 2 serves as a reflection of the modern era, moving beyond the fashion-centric focus of the original to address the existential threats facing journalism and the arts due to AI and social media. By centering on the evolution of its core characters, the film aims to inspire a new generation to "invent their lives" while highlighting the importance of supporting human-led industries. The film remains a testament to the power of storytelling to connect with audiences across generations, even as the mediums through which we consume those stories face their own "siege."