Kenneth Branagh Will Join the Cast of Sequel ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’
He’ll play the husband of Meryl Streep’s steely editor Miranda Priestly, with Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci all back for the new movie.
Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot in 20th Century Studios' 'Death on the Nile.' Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Preview:
- Kenneth Branagh is the first new addition to the cast of ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’.
- Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci are all back for the sequel.
- Writer Aline Brosh McKenna and director David Frankel are also returning.
The last time we reported on the sequel to 2006 comedy drama ‘The Devil Wears Prada,’ it was still lurking in development, without a full commitment from the cast to return.
How things have moved on! Now 20th Century Studios has announced that the follow-up not only boasts original stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, but will also feature Kenneth Branagh in its cast.
The Devil Wears Prada
As per the Instagram post below, the sequel is now in production, meaning that it’ll be on screens next year, just in time for the 20th anniversary of the original.
View this post on Instagram
Related Article: ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ Screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna Developing Sequel
What was the story of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’?
(L to R) Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep in 'The Devil Wears Prada'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
Adapted by Aline Brosh McKenna from Lauren Weisberger’s novel and directed by David Frankel, the original follows Andy Sachs (Hathaway), a recent journalism graduate who moves to New York City and lands a job as a junior assistant to Miranda Priestly (Streep), the powerful and demanding editor-in-chief of high-fashion magazine Runway, with Blunt as Emily, Priestly’s primary aide.
Andy initially struggles with the high-pressure environment and Miranda’s relentless demands but gradually adapts, gaining confidence and style. As she becomes more involved in her work, she faces personal challenges, including a strained relationship with her boyfriend, Nate (Adrian Grenier), and ethical dilemmas about the fashion industry’s values.
The movie was a hit, earning close to $125 million in the US and more than $326 million worldwide. Streep was nominated for an Oscar along with costume designer Patricia Field.
What would the new movie be about?
Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly in 2006's 'The Devil Wears Prada .'
With the cast all back for this one, the sequel’s plot would reportedly pick up the story with Priestly still the head of Runway, but the magazine has endured the financial headwinds of contemporary publishing and is in a diminished state.
Blunt’s one-time assistant would now be an executive at a luxury brand conglomerate that advertises with Runway.
Entertainment Weekly has confirmed that Grenier won’t be back, but we do know that Branagh will be playing Miranda Priestly’s husband, which as anyone who has seen the first film knows, is not an easy gig given the hard-charging, perfectionist character’s style.
Behind the scenes, McKenna has written the new script and Frankel is once again calling the shots.
What else is happening in the ‘Devil Wears Prada’ world?
Anne Hathaway in 'The Devil Wears Prada'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
In addition to the sequel, a musical adaptation with an original score by Elton John, is playing in London's West End.
Vanessa Williams is playing the Miranda Priestly role, and a first look at her on stage (well, rising on to it) is online via the production’s Instagram page.
Where else can we see Kenneth Branagh?
Kenneth Branagh in Christopher Nolan's 'Dunkirk.' Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
Filmmaker Branagh hasn’t been seen on screens since 2023’s ‘A Haunting in Venice,’ which he directed and starred in as detective Hercule Poirot.
He lent his voice to this year’s animated adventure ‘The King of Kings’, playing Charles Dickens.
Upcoming for Branagh besides his work on the ‘Devil Wears’ sequel is ‘Mayday’, the new action adventure comedy from writer/directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.
That one follows an airman whose reconnaissance mission over Soviet territory goes awry, forcing him to crash-land and survive in Russian wilderness while evading capture or rescue.
It also stars Ryan Reynolds and Maria Bakalova, and is reportedly going to be released in September, though there has been little promotion for it so far.
Branagh also wrote and directed a new thriller ‘The Last Disturbance of Madeline Hynde’, which has Jodie Comer, Patricia Arquette, Michael Sheen, Tom Bateman and Vicky McClure among its cast.
The movie has yet to lock down a release date.
Finally, there is a movie, currently called ‘Atonement’ (which may change given the slightly well known 2008 drama), which sees a troubled marine seeking to reconcile with the survivors of an Iraqi family he and his unit fired on back in 2003, that one, with Reed Van Dyk in the director’s chair, is in pre-production.
When will ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ be in theaters?
The sequel is currently scheduled for a May 1st, 2026 release, which should make fans of the original, who have anticipated a follow-up, happy.
(L to R) Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway in 'The Devil Wears Prada'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
Other Movies Similar to ‘The Devil Wears Prada':
- 'The September Issue' (2009)
- ‘Coco Before Chanel' (2009)
- 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' (2009)
- 'The Intern' (2015)
- 'The Dressmaker' (2015)
- 'House of Gucci' (2021)
Buy 'The Devil Wears Prada' Movies on Amazon
