“The Devil Wears Prada 2” kicked off its theatrical run with a strong box office performance, earning $77 million in the U.S. and Canada during its opening weekend, according to The Los Angeles Times. Internationally, the film grossed an additional $156.6 million, making it a global hit; the film, produced by 20th Century Studios, cost $100 million to make—nearly triple the $35 million budget of the original 2006 film. Director David Frankel noted that after paying top-tier actors, the remaining budget was comparable to the original film’s, according to the Associated Press.

Artwork Sparks AI Debate

A digital painting commissioned for the film by artist Sydney Franklin became the subject of an online debate when viewers assumed it was, Franklin clarified on Instagram that the work was entirely human-made, and she was fairly compensated for it. “Absolutely no disrespect to Queen Meryl, but this is something I would’ve painted in my free time, so when they asked me to do this it was nothing but fun,” she wrote. The piece. Which featured a “cheap. Plastic look” meant to mimic 2010s internet memes, led some viewers to question whether it was an attempt to replicate AI aesthetics — Franklin denied that, saying she had “no intention of emulating AI.”

“Technically I was trying to make it look artificial, but emulating AI was not on my mind when I painted it,” she added. “It feels like the power of suggestion has taken hold in that regard.” Franklin’s post, which included a time-lapse of her creative process, received praise for its authenticity. One commenter noted that it was “so refreshing it not being AI,” while another joked, “AI replacing artists 🙅🏻♀️ artists replacing AI 🙂↕️.”

Meryl Streep Reclaims Her Iconic Role

Meryl Streep returned as Miranda Priestly for the sequel, marking her first feature film appearance since 2021’s “Don’t Look Up.” In an interview with U.K. radio, Streep reflected on the evolution of the character and the broader Hollywood setting. “I think when we tend to Marvel-ize the movies now,we got the villains and we got the good guys,and it’s so boring,” she said, according to Variety. Streep’s comments signaled her position as an auteur who no longer feels bound by traditional studio expectations.

Streep’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly has long been compared to real-life fashion icon Anna Wintour, who was a key inspiration for the original 2006 film, Wintour, who led American “Vogue” from 1988 to 2025, is now a cultural figure in her own right, according to ZDFheute. The sequel’s release coincided with Wintour appearing on the cover of “Vogue” alongside Streep, reinforcing the real-world connection between the fictional and actual figures. Wintour, born in 1949, is set to receive prominent support at next year’s Met Gala, a role she has played for years in changing the fashion world.

Film Tackles Industry Changes

According to a review from cocalecas. The sequel is less a nostalgic rehash than a reflection on the changing media field. “The Devil Wears Prada 2” portrays a world where journalism is in decline and traditional publishing models are struggling to adapt to digital platforms and algorithm-driven content. The film’s protagonist. Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway). Returns to Runway not as an eager intern but as a seasoned journalist who has already left the system, and her reentry into the world of fashion journalism is depicted as a reluctant return to a failing industry.

“This is not a feel-good story about making it in the fashion world,” one reviewer noted. “It’s a story about losing ground.” The film’s tone reflects the challenges faced by modern media, where “Runway” itself is under threat. The film’s opening scene,a mass firing of Andy and her team,mirrors the instability many in the industry face today. The film’s message, then, is as much about the characters as it is about the real-world forces changing the entertainment and media sectors.