Meryl Streep has revealed she was fully prepared to walk away from The Devil Wears Prada unless her salary demands were met before taking on the now-famous role of Miranda Priestly.
The 76-year-old Oscar winner opened up during a recent appearance on Today, where she reunited with co-stars Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci to promote the upcoming sequel.
Streep said she loved the original script but initially turned down the first offer she received. Confident the film would be successful, she decided to ask for double the amount and was surprised when the studio immediately agreed. She described the moment as an important lesson in recognizing her value, adding that she had even considered retiring at the time.
She ultimately earned a reported $4 million for the 2006 hit, which went on to gross more than $325 million worldwide. Her performance as the intimidating editor-in-chief of fictional fashion magazine Runway earned her a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination. Miranda Priestly was famously inspired in part by Anna Wintour.
Her co-stars also reportedly received sizable paychecks, with Hathaway earning around $1 million and Blunt taking home approximately $800,000. Tucci’s salary was never publicly disclosed.
During the interview, Streep also shared that sequel talks began as early as 2009, but the cast waited until a strong story idea came together. She explained that major changes in journalism, publishing and politics helped shape a modern plot that felt worth revisiting.
Reports claim Streep has now earned around $20 million for The Devil Wears Prada 2. However, early reactions to the sequel have been mixed, with some critics praising Streep’s sharp return as Miranda while others say the new film lacks the wit, charm and energy of the beloved original.
Even so, anticipation remains high for the follow-up, with industry predictions suggesting a major box office debut. Two decades later, Miranda Priestly still commands attention — both on screen and behind the scenes.
One critic argued that the sequel never truly justifies why it needed to be made, aside from commenting on the current struggles of the journalism industry and the growing influence of billionaires who may do more harm than good. While acknowledging that point may be valid, the reviewer said it doesn’t make for a particularly compelling film. They added that although the cast remains as charming as ever, their talents might have been better used elsewhere.
Still, not all of the early reactions were negative, with several critics embracing the stylish return of the franchise. USA Today critic Brian Truitt praised the warm chemistry between Anne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci, while also highlighting the renewed dynamic between Hathaway’s Andy and Emily Blunt’s Emily as one of the film’s strongest nostalgic elements.
Writing for The New Yorker, Justin Chang described the sequel as another glamorous Manhattan fantasy, packed with high-end fashion and polished style. He even suggested that in some ways the follow-up may be smarter than the original film.
The Hollywood Reporter critic David Rooney also found positives, saying fans seeking designer fashion, sharp insults, and another memorable performance from Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly would likely be satisfied.
Despite the mixed critical response, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is still expected to make a huge impact at the box office. According to Variety, the film is projected to earn between $75 million and $80 million across roughly 4,100 North American theaters during its opening weekend, with some estimates reaching as high as $100 million.
Internationally, the sequel could add another $100 million, giving it a possible worldwide debut of $175 million to $190 million. Those figures are especially notable given reports that 20th Century Studios spent around $100 million on production alone, not including global marketing costs.
That would mark a major leap from the original 2006 movie, which opened domestically with $27.5 million before eventually earning $325 million worldwide. Even if critics remain divided, the sequel appears ready to surpass its predecessor at the box office from the very start.
