The world premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2 in New York on 20 April brought together stars Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Lady Gaga, Anne Hathaway, and Stanley Tucci. The sequel, a commentary on media economics, has been unusually transparent about its finances during promotion.
Salary Negotiations and Cast Costs
Meryl Streep revealed she initially turned down the role of Miranda Priestly in the 2006 original to demand a higher salary. “They called me up and made an offer,” she told Today. “I said no, not going to do it. I knew it would be a hit, and I wanted to see if I doubled my ask. They said ‘Sure!’ I was 56 and it took me that long to understand I could do that.” The film grossed over nine times its $35 million budget, becoming a cultural phenomenon.
For the sequel, cast salaries account for roughly half of the $100 million budget. Lady Gaga’s brief cameo as herself, including a bespoke song, reportedly cost $2.5 million. The film features about 30 cameos from music, fashion, sports, and media to boost credibility and cross-promotion.
Box Office Projections
Analysts predict the sequel will double its budget in its opening weekend, surpassing the original’s $326 million global haul within two weeks. The film benefits from renewed cinema attendance following hits like Project Hail Mary and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Brand Partnerships and Merchandise
The film has secured strategic brand deals, notably Dior, depicted as the company run by Blunt’s character. Other partners include Diet Coke, Old Navy, Tweezerman, Zillow, Tresemmé, L’Oréal, Google, Samsung, and Starbucks. Walmart sells official merchandise in the US, such as a Miranda doll ($35), polyester throw blanket ($14.74), and a cerulean blue midi dress ($49).
Cameos: Who Made the Cut and Who Didn’t
Four Cameos That Happened
- Kenneth Branagh plays Miranda’s violinist boyfriend, though his small role and a line about alcoholism suggest possible edits. A source close to Branagh denied any trimming.
- Lady Gaga appears as herself after Streep convinced her via a phone call from Islington. “She said ‘Yeah’ just like that,” Streep said. Whether Streep negotiated Gaga’s salary is unknown.
- Donatella Versace is confronted by Blunt’s character, implying lower status. Other fashion cameos include Ciara, Marc Jacobs, Naomi Campbell, Heidi Klum, and Edward Enninful.
- Tina Brown appears at a Hamptons lunch hosted by Priestly, alongside Jon Batiste, Jenna Bush Hager, and Karl-Anthony Towns. Brown described the shoot as hot and long, with spoiled lobster.
Four Cameos That Didn’t Happen
- Hugh Jackman is mentioned but does not appear in a party scene where Andy’s boyfriend prepares to approach him.
- George Clooney is absent despite shots of his Lake Como villa, where Blunt married.
- Sydney Sweeney shot a three-minute scene as herself opposite Blunt, but it was cut for structural reasons.
- Anna Wintour, inspiration for Priestly, did not appear, though she has cameoed in Ocean’s Eight and Zoolander 2.
The sequel’s blend of star power, brand integration, and strategic cameos mirrors the relentless profit-maximizing ethos of Runway magazine.
