Full Breakdown
Salary Deals and Box-Office Surge for “The Devil Wears Prada 2”
5/9/2026, 1:16:22 AM
Production Background
The sequel, directed by David Frankel, reunites Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci twenty years after the 2006 original, which earned $326 million on a $35 million budget. Released May 1, 2026 with a $100 million budget and a PG-13 rating, the film follows Andy Sachs confronting a digital-first fashion landscape.
Lead Cast Compensation
Streep, Hathaway and Blunt each received a $12.5 million base fee under a “favored-nation” agreement that guarantees equal pay. Box-office bonuses tied to pre-negotiated milestones could lift total earnings above $20 million per star. Studios and agents declined comment. Streep’s fee is below her $2021 “Don’t Look Up” payment.
Box-Office Performance
The film has grossed between $300 million and $253 million worldwide, with a $77 million domestic opening and $156 million international debut. Projections add $42 million for the second weekend, comfortably covering the $100 million budget and triggering the standard bonuses for top-tier talent.
Official Statements
20th Century Studios and CAA issued a joint “no comment” on salary details. Frankel told Variety that a third installment remains possible, emphasizing the long interval between the two films and expressing interest in returning to the characters.
Critical Reception
ABC described the sequel as a “shadow of its size-six past,” with slower pacing and a “tepid re-heat” of the original’s humor. Some fans, however, praised the nostalgic cast reunion.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources list totals of $300 million, $253 million, $233 million and $234 million. Exact bonus triggers and the full terms of the “favored-nation” deal remain undisclosed.
Why It Matters
The equal $12.5 million compensation for three female leads underscores Hollywood’s willingness to invest heavily in proven talent, especially for legacy franchises. The film’s strong box-office returns demonstrate market appetite for sequels that revive iconic properties after extended intervals.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I just felt like I got to be in this, like, supergroup 20 years ago and we got back together to make another album,” — Anne Hathaway, Actress
- “Look, it took us 20 years to do this one. And I said, ‘Never again,’ and here we are,” — David Frankel, Director
- “So, I certainly would never say, ‘Never again,’ again. Let’s see what happens. If there was an opportunity to revisit the characters and to share a few months with these wonderful actors again, obviously, I’d love it.” — David Frankel, Director
- “I love working so much. Don't you just love it?” — Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep)
What’s Next
Frankel and the returning stars have signaled interest in a third film, provided their characters survive future storylines. The sequel’s box-office momentum makes a follow-up plausible within the next year.