Devil Wears Prada 2 Starts Rolling As Beloved Characters Return To The Catwalk

The buzz is real: nearly twenty years after The Devil Wears Prada first graced our screens, a sequel is officially in the works, and fans are already bracing for a return to the high-pressure, high-fashion chaos of Runway Magazine. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to rewatch the original or dig out your old cerulean sweaters, this is it.

Filming reportedly kicked off this week, and the excitement is spilling over online and offline. What makes this announcement even better is that many of the stars who helped turn the first film into a cultural moment are set to return.

Meryl Streep, in all her icy glory, will once again play Miranda Priestly, the terrifyingly chic editor-in-chief whose pursed lips and single raised eyebrow can send seasoned fashion editors scattering. Anne Hathaway is also back as Andy Sachs, who famously transformed from a frumpy assistant into a polished insider, all while questioning whether the price of success was worth it.

Emily Blunt will return as the sharp-tongued Emily, Miranda’s first assistant who lives on a diet of coffee and dry wit. And yes, Stanley Tucci is reportedly stepping back into the role of Nigel, the stylish and endearingly sarcastic art director who had some of the film’s best lines.

Nate’s resentment over Andy’s job makes many see him as the true villain.

In the first movie, Nate is Andy’s easygoing boyfriend who starts out supportive as she dives into the demanding world of fashion journalism. But it doesn’t take long for cracks to show. As Andy’s work hours get longer and she becomes more immersed in Miranda’s world,

Nate becomes increasingly resentful. His sarcastic comments and frustration with Andy’s job have led many viewers to see him as the story’s real antagonist, not Miranda.

This idea has become something of a rallying cry on social media. One user posted on X (formerly Twitter),

“Miranda Priestly was NOT the villain in The Devil Wears Prada. Nate Cooper was. Miranda was a strong, demanding executive. Nate was a whiny guy who didn’t like how much time his girlfriend spent at a job she loved and guilted her into quitting. He was the villain.”Courtesy Everett Collection

Another user chimed in with:

“Goodnight to everyone except Nate from The Devil Wears Prada because he thought his birthday was more important than Andy’s career.”

And a third fan added,

“Watching The Devil Wears Prada (for the 178th time), and I will forever scream that Nate was the villain and Andy’s biggest hater. Yes, Andy’s boyfriend was jealous of her. Shocker. I can’t stand his a**.”

Despite their relationship’s ups and downs, the first movie ended with a tentative reconciliation between Andy and Nate, leaving viewers to wonder where things might have gone if Grenier had returned for the sequel. Could Nate have redeemed himself? Or would old patterns repeat?

Understanding the Psychology of Nostalgia

The excitement surrounding the sequel to The Devil Wears Prada may be explained by our psychological response to nostalgia. Nostalgia, a sentimental longing for the past, has been shown to evoke positive emotions and reduce stress (Barrett, Grimm, Robins, Wildschut, Sedikides, & Janata, 2010). This could explain why fans are eager to revisit familiar characters and settings. Barrett et al., 2010

In 2021, Adrian Grenier called Nate selfish and urged people like him to “step it up.”

Adrian Grenier himself has openly reflected on his character’s flaws. In a 2021 interview with Entertainment Weekly, he didn’t sugarcoat Nate’s shortcomings.

“[Andy] needed more out of the world than Nate, and she was achieving it. He couldn’t support her like she needed to because he was a fragile, wounded boy. There’s a selfishness and self-centeredness in that, and I think Andy needed to be held by a man who was an adult,” he admitted. Then, speaking directly to those who might see themselves in Nate, he added, “On behalf of all the Nates out there: Come on! Step it up!”Getty Images

So what does all of this mean for the sequel? With so many iconic characters returning and one key figure staying behind, the new story has plenty of room to explore fresh angles.

Will Andy continue to chase her career dreams, free from Nate’s criticisms? Will Miranda face new professional challenges in a modernized media landscape? One thing’s certain: the world of Runway Magazine won’t stay quiet for long.

For now, fans can only speculate and share their excitement as filming gets underway. Whether you saw Nate as a misunderstood boyfriend or the true villain, his absence is bound to shape the dynamic of the sequel, and it’ll be fascinating to see how the story unfolds without him.

Films like The Devil Wears Prada also allow viewers to explore complex social dynamics from a safe distance. This can be cathartic and provide valuable insights into our own relationships and behaviors. As Dr. Terri Orbuch, a relationship researcher, states, "Movies can serve as a mirror, reflecting our own lives and relationships, helping us to understand and navigate our emotional landscapes" (Dr. Terri Orbuch). This aligns with the uses and gratification theory of media, which suggests that people use media for personal identity, integration and social interaction, and entertainment.

What Research Shows About the Power of Revisiting Beloved Characters

The return of beloved characters could also be linked to parasocial interactions, a concept in psychology where audiences develop emotional bonds with fictional characters, similar to real-life relationships (Horton & Wohl, 1956). These 'relationships' can provide comfort and a sense of familiarity, which can be particularly appealing in times of change or uncertainty. Horton & Wohl, 1956

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

In conclusion, the anticipation surrounding The Devil Wears Prada sequel highlights the profound impact of nostalgia, the exploration of social dynamics through film, and the emotional bonds we create with fictional characters. As noted by Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, an emotion researcher, "Nostalgia can serve as a powerful emotional anchor, reminding us of our past connections and experiences." This sentiment reflects why audiences are so eager for the return of Miranda and the chaotic world of high fashion. For more insights on the psychology of nostalgia, visit Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett's website. Additionally, Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, emphasizes that "films often allow us to process our own social experiences, making them relatable and engaging," which further explains the excitement surrounding this sequel. You can explore her work at Dr. Ramani's website.