Two decades after The Devil Wears Prada became a cultural phenomenon, Anne Hathaway is back as Andy Sachs, captivating fans on the set of the highly anticipated sequel, set to hit theaters on May 1, 2026. On July 21, 2025, Hathaway shared a first-look photo on Instagram, captioned “Andy Sachs 2025 #dwp2,” showcasing her in a chic pinstriped suit, pearls, and Chanel sandals, proving her style remains as timeless as ever. Filming in New York and Italy, the sequel reunites the original cast—Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci—under director David Frankel and writer Aline Brosh McKenna. X posts exploded with excitement, with users like @thailand_magic proclaiming, “First look at Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs! 20 years later, she’s still iconic!” The film, tackling the decline of print media, promises to blend nostalgia with modern relevance, positioning Hathaway’s return as a fashion and cinematic triumph. As fans gird their loins for a spring release just before the 2026 Met Gala, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is shaping up to be a groundbreaking sequel.

A Timeless Return for Andy Sachs

The original The Devil Wears Prada (2006), based on Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel, followed aspiring journalist Andy Sachs (Hathaway) as she navigated the cutthroat world of Runway magazine under the icy editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly (Streep). With Emily Blunt as the snarky assistant Emily Charlton and Stanley Tucci as the suave Nigel Kipling, the film grossed $326 million worldwide on a $35–$40 million budget, earning Streep an Oscar nomination and cementing its status as a comedy classic. Its iconic lines—“That’s all” and the cerulean sweater monologue—remain cultural touchstones, and a West End musical starring Vanessa Williams as Miranda underscores its enduring appeal.

On June 30, 2025, 20th Century Studios announced that The Devil Wears Prada 2 had begun production, with filming in New York and Italy. Hathaway’s first-look photo, posted on July 21, captured her striding through a fashionable office or gallery, radiating confidence in a pinstriped vest and pants, accessorized with a gold chain and pearls. X users were quick to celebrate, with @OkMilkyway tweeting, “Anne Hathaway in Devil Wears Prada 2 looks ageless! 20 years and she’s still slaying 😌.” @jay_jeffnx added, “This look is HOT. Andy Sachs after 19 years? Middle-aged women are swooning!” The sentiment echoed across platforms, with @TheMoviesRain noting, “Anne Hathaway’s first look in The Devil Wears Prada 2—ready for May 1, 2026!” Her chic ensemble, blending Andy’s evolved style with Miranda’s lessons, signals a character who’s grown but hasn’t lost her edge.

Plot and Cast: A Modern Runway

While plot details remain under wraps, Variety and Puck News report that the sequel centers on Miranda Priestly navigating the decline of traditional magazine publishing. Still at Runway’s helm, she faces off against Emily Charlton, now a high-powered executive at a luxury conglomerate (think Kering or LVMH), whose advertising dollars Miranda desperately needs. Andy Sachs, who quit Runway for a newspaper job in the original, returns in an unspecified role, sparking curiosity about her arc. Will she be a journalist, as Hathaway mused in 2022 to BBC, imagining Andy at a “French women’s magazine, speaking fluently”? Or has she re-entered the fashion world? The dynamic between Miranda and Emily, with Andy as a potential wildcard, promises a fresh take on their relationships.

The core cast—Streep, Hathaway, Blunt, and Tucci—returns, joined by Tracie Thoms as Andy’s friend Lily and Tibor Feldman as Elias-Clark chairman Irv Ravitz. Newcomers include Kenneth Branagh as Miranda’s husband (possibly a recast of Stephen from the original or a new character, per Town & Country), alongside Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, B.J. Novak, Pauline Chalamet, Simone Ashley, Rachel Bloom, Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon, Helen J. Shen, and Conrad Ricamora. Notably, Adrian Grenier’s Nate, Andy’s unsupportive boyfriend, won’t return, aligning with fan sentiment that his character was toxic. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed Grenier’s absence, a move celebrated on X, where @VogueRunwayFan posted, “No Nate in DWP2? Good riddance!” The star-studded additions, particularly Branagh and Liu, elevate the sequel’s prestige, with Deadline noting their casting as a coup.

David Frankel directs, with Aline Brosh McKenna writing and Wendy Finerman producing, ensuring continuity with the original’s sharp wit and visual flair. The timing is uncanny: Anna Wintour’s announced departure as Vogue’s editor-in-chief in July 2025, after 37 years, mirrors the sequel’s focus on a fading print industry, adding real-world resonance. Variety noted the serendipity, suggesting the film reflects publishing’s shift to digital and influencer-driven media.

Hathaway’s Enduring Appeal

At 42, Hathaway’s return as Andy Sachs is a testament to her enduring star power. Her July 21 Instagram post, showing her in character, drew global attention, with @adn40 tweeting, “She’s back! First look at Anne Hathaway filming The Devil Wears Prada 2! 😍” and @IGN_es calling it “likely the most important sequel of her career.” Her style, blending Andy’s journalistic roots with Runway’s polish, reflects her own evolution as a fashion icon, often seen in Valentino and Chanel. @Twentyfournew highlighted her carrying a Valentino Garavani Panthea bag on set, reinforcing her sartorial influence. Posts on X praised her ageless beauty, with @OkMilkyway noting, “She’s practically immortal. Face barely changed in 20 years!”

Hathaway’s career has flourished since 2006, with an Oscar for Les Misérables (2012), roles in Interstellar (2014), and upcoming 2026 projects like Verity, The Odyssey, and Flowervale Street. Her reluctance to do a sequel—she told V Magazine in April 2024 that it was “probably not” happening—makes her commitment a coup, likely driven by the return of the original team. In a 2021 Entertainment Weekly interview, she expressed a preference for “escapes” predating modern tech, but the sequel’s focus on a transformed media landscape seems to have won her over. Her set photos, showing her running across New York streets while on the phone, suggest Andy remains a harried professional, a nod to the original’s frenetic energy.

Fan and Industry Buzz

The sequel’s announcement sparked a frenzy, amplified by the 2024 SAG Awards reunion of Streep, Blunt, and Hathaway, where they delivered iconic lines to raucous applause. Glamour noted that the reunion fueled fan hopes, with @DWPStan on X posting, “That SAG moment was a teaser for DWP2! We’re ready for Miranda’s return.” The original’s $326 million gross, two Oscar nominations, and cultural impact set a high bar, but the sequel’s timing—releasing just before the 2026 Met Gala—adds fashion-world buzz. Harper’s Bazaar called the May 1 date “impeccable,” aligning with the gala’s first Monday in May.

Fans expect a fashion spectacle, with the original’s “Vogue” montage as a benchmark. Hathaway’s first-look outfit, blending corporate chic with high fashion, hints at a wardrobe that will rival the original’s Patricia Field-designed looks. Vulture praised the pinstriped ensemble as “hot,” urging, “Now show us Emily!” Critics, however, caution that the sequel must balance nostalgia with innovation. The Wrap noted the challenge of updating Runway’s world for a digital era, while Vanity Fair suggested the plot’s focus on Miranda vs. Emily could sideline Andy, a risk given Hathaway’s draw. Still, early reactions are positive, with BBC predicting a “high-quality production” given the returning creative team.

Challenges and Context

The sequel faces hurdles. The 2013 novel Revenge Wears Prada depicted Andy as a magazine editor nearing 30, clashing with Miranda again, but the film’s plot diverges, per Variety, to focus on modern publishing struggles. This shift risks alienating fans of the book, though McKenna’s sharp writing could bridge the gap. The Hollywood Reporter noted the absence of Nate, a polarizing figure, as a smart move, but the large new cast—Liu, Theroux, and others—could dilute the core dynamic. Deadline reported Simone Ashley’s casting as a fresh face, potentially a young Runway staffer, adding diversity but raising questions about screen time.

Disney’s investment reflects confidence, but recent live-action remakes (Snow White, Pinocchio) have faltered, making The Devil Wears Prada 2 a test of the studio’s sequel strategy. The original’s success was rooted in its sharp satire and relatable characters, and the sequel must navigate a changed industry where influencers and social media dominate. Wintour’s Vogue exit, reported by Variety, adds a meta layer, as Miranda’s struggle mirrors real-world shifts. Puck News suggested the film could explore luxury brands’ influence, with Emily’s role reflecting conglomerates like LVMH, a timely angle.

Conclusion

Anne Hathaway’s return as Andy Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada 2, set for May 1, 2026, is a fashion and cinematic event 20 years in the making. Her first-look photo, radiating ageless style, has fans buzzing on X, with posts like @thailand_magic hailing her as “iconic” and @OkMilkyway marveling at her timeless beauty. Filming in New York and Italy, with Streep, Blunt, Tucci, and new stars like Kenneth Branagh and Lucy Liu, the sequel promises to blend nostalgia with a modern take on publishing’s decline. Directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna, it tackles Miranda Priestly’s battle for Runway’s survival against Emily Charlton’s corporate power, with Andy’s role a tantalizing mystery. As The Devil Wears Prada 2 gears up for a spring release, just days before the 2026 Met Gala, Hathaway’s stunning presence ensures it’s already a must-see. Gird your loins—this sequel is poised to be groundbreaking.