When a sequel to Devil Wears Prada was announced 20 years after the original film’s release, many questioned why such a project would move forward, though For Meryl Streep, who plays the Anna Wintour-inspired Miranda Priestly, there was a key condition for taking part in the film.

Streep’s Condition: A Film That ‘Speaks to the Moment’

“There was one way that we would sign on to do a sequel,” Streep told BBC News. “If it spoke to the moment.” The film reflects real-life developments in journalism, such as staffing cuts, dwindling print numbers, and the dominance of digital media.

Streep emphasized the importance of relevance, even in what she described as “the frothiest sort of fun movie.” Co-star Stanley Tucci added that the film tackles modern issues like the loss of control journalists face due to social media and artificial intelligence.

Focus on Journalism’s Future and Audience Participation

Instead of simply replicating the success of the 2006 film, the new installment aims to reflect changing times; Anne Hathaway, who reprises her role as Andy Sachs, highlighted the film’s message about audience participation. “One of the things I think the film does really well is show you have to participate in the world you want to live,” she said.

Streep, a three-time Oscar winner, hopes the film will inspire viewers to care about journalism — “I hope people realize the fate of journalism really rests on them,” Hathaway added. “If you believe in it, you believe it’s important,I personally do.”

Streep joked that the film could sound like it’s “Spotlight or something,” but insisted it’s still a fun and fashionable movie — Tucci echoed this sentiment, calling it “a nice bit of escapism” at a time when the world feels chaotic.

Escapism and Nostalgia in the Sequel

Emily Blunt, another key cast member, said she wanted the film to be an “enjoy the nostalgia” experience. “I want people to have a joy bomb,go [see it] with their friends, laugh, cheer and enjoy the nostalgia bank that the movie is,” she said.

The sequel, written by Aline Brosh McKenna and directed by David Frankel, features designer outfits, celebrity cameos like Marc Jacobs and Naomi Campbell, and iconic locations such as New York and Milan. Blunt reprises her role as Emily Charlton, who now works in luxury retail rather than as an assistant.

Blunt noted that the film introduces characters to a “whole new terrain” and deals with themes of realization, forgiveness, and reclamation. Empire magazine praised the film for offering a fresh story but noted it could have benefited from higher stakes.

Streep and Hathaway stressed the importance of stories about ambitious women in Hollywood. “Stories about women who love what they do,who work at it and who prioritize it,are few and far between,” Hathaway said. “That’s why this one resonated with people 20 years ago and why people are responding to it this time.”

Streep added that ambition in women is still often seen as unattractive. “It’s always been [the case] that ambition is seen as an unattractive quality in women. We would hope that feeling would be obsolete, but it isn’t,” she said.

Both actors acknowledged the sacrifices women in high-pressure careers make in their personal lives. “How you define having a full life, a satisfying life and a meaningful one is very personal,” Hathaway said. “For some people, that means you have a career and for some, it means your career is life-based. There’s no one better than the other.”

Streep echoed this thought, noting that no one wants to regret missing out on personal life for work. “No man on his deathbed says ‘damn, I wish I’d been at the office more,’ I don’t think,” she said. “We all want to keep our lives in balance.”

The cast hopes the film both entertains and delivers a meaningful message. “Seeing a story that centers around a character you can connect to that inspires you is a huge reason why I’m sitting here right now,” Hathaway said.