David Frankel is keeping the door open for more Devil Wears Prada films. Following the commercial success of The Devil Wears Prada 2, the director hasn't ruled out returning to the fashion world of Runway magazine for a potential third installment.
Frankel's willingness to continue the franchise comes after the sequel outperformed expectations at the box office. The 2006 original, based on Lauren Weisberger's bestselling novel, became a cultural phenomenon and launched a lucrative franchise centered on Meryl Streep's iconic portrayal of the icy Miranda Priestly. Streep's performance defined the villain archetype for a generation and spawned countless "That's all" memes referencing her dismissive hand gesture.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 proved audiences still hunger for more backstabbery and Chanel in the cutthroat fashion magazine world. With box-office returns strong enough to justify another sequel, studios have every reason to pursue additional installments. The franchise taps into enduring appeal: sharp dialogue, impeccable costume design, and the aspirational yet satirical take on high fashion.
Frankel's openness reflects Hollywood's current appetite for revisiting established IP with proven audiences. Unlike reboots or remakes that risk alienating existing fanbases, sequels to beloved franchises offer lower creative risk. The Devil Wears Prada universe has established characters, world-building, and tonal consistency that audiences recognize and enjoy.
Whether Streep returns remains unclear. The legendary actress balanced the role's darkness with moments of unexpected vulnerability, making Miranda simultaneously villainous and oddly sympathetic. Recasting would fundamentally alter the franchise's DNA. A third film without her seems unlikely to generate comparable buzz.
The fashion industry itself has transformed since the 2006 original