Prada’s next chapter: a look behind the scenes of the sequel
The fashion world is bracing for the return of Miranda Priestly, but the path to The Devil Wears Prada 2 was anything but straightforward. Screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative process behind the highly anticipated sequel, revealing how the original’s unique DNA was both preserved and subtly reimagined.
From book to box office: the evolution of a hit
When Aline Brosh McKenna first encountered Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel, she was immediately captivated. “I saw the cover of the book before I read it, and I was like, I want that,” she recalled. “I think the idea of being in the workplace for the first time as a young woman, and all the personal and professional challenges you face, is something I’ve always been really interested in, for obvious reasons.” McKenna appreciated the book’s remarkably detailed depiction of the industry, a stark contrast to many workplace narratives that often rely on vague generalizations.
A director’s vision: shaping a new story
Initially, the project landed at Fox 2000, with Wendy Finerman optioning the book before it was even published. Several writers attempted to adapt the story, but ultimately, David Frankel was brought on board, with McKenna pitching her ideas directly. “I didn’t know him, so I really met him completely cold and went in and pitched my ideas,” McKenna explained. “They just happened to really line up with his ideas. In fact, at some point we compared the documents we both used for our meetings, and they were very similar, with the main thing being that we both felt it was important not to exaggerate or make things too silly or cartoonish.”
Beyond the runway: a shifting landscape
What surprised McKenna most was the opportunity to explore the industry in a radically different context. “The three big businesses in the film—publishing, fashion, and journalism—had all undergone such seismic shifts,” she noted. “Especially since 2019 or so, all these businesses have sort of been turned upside down and and shaken. It seemed interesting, almost like you were going into a completely different workplace.” The decision to craft a new story, rather than a direct sequel, allowed for a fresh perspective on the established characters and themes.
Echoes of andy: staying true to the core
Despite the shift in setting, McKenna emphasized the importance of honoring Andy Sachs’s journey and the core themes of ambition, disillusionment, and self-discovery. “I felt like it was important to understand what Andy was walking away from [in the end],” she said. “There’s sort of a fine line between feeling, like, I am personally disaffected, as opposed to, This job assignment doesn’t reflect my values.” The final scene, a car ride symbolizing Andy’s escape from the suffocating world of Runway, was deliberately crafted to capture this central conflict. “You know, it says ‘devil’ in the title, and it’s a story that’s very much about someone who is being dragged away from what she said she wanted to do, and how easy it is for her to be dragged away from it.”
A return to form, with a twist
While a direct sequel wasn't feasible, McKenna was thrilled to revisit the beloved characters. “I just was really excited to see them all again,” she confessed. “The Devil Wears Prada 2 is not based on Lauren’s sequel—it’s a new story—so there was a freedom there. I’ve always loved those characters; they’ve stayed present to me for a long time.” Ultimately, the sequel promises a compelling exploration of a transformed industry, guided by the enduring spirit of its iconic characters.