The fashion world is buzzing with anticipation as the legendary halls of Runway Magazine prepare for a potential third act. Following the monumental success of the recent sequel, which dominated the global box office with a staggering $300 million haul in its first two weeks alone, the conversation has officially shifted toward the possibility of The Devil Wears Prada 3. With the "Core Four" cast members—Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci—reunited and the franchise experiencing a massive cultural resurgence, a threequel feels less like a "maybe" and more like an inevitability.
Is The Devil Wears Prada 3 Officially Happening?
While The Devil Wears Prada 3 has not been officially greenlit by Disney, director David Frankel and the core cast—Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci—have all expressed interest. The primary driver for a threequel is the undeniable commercial power of the franchise; the 2026 sequel’s $300 million box office success, coupled with a 428% surge in streaming minutes for the original film on Disney Plus, has made the property a top priority for the studio. Industry insiders suggest that while a script is not yet finalized, the momentum is at an all-time high.
The path to a third film is paved with record-breaking data. To put the sequel's success into perspective, the original 2006 cult classic earned $326 million over its entire theatrical run. The fact that the second installment nearly matched that figure in just fourteen days signals a massive, underserved audience. Furthermore, the sequel currently holds a 77% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that the franchise has successfully modernized its themes for a 2020s audience without losing the biting wit that made it a staple of the fashion comedy genre.
The 'Core Four' and Meryl Streep's One Condition
The heart of the franchise has always been the electric chemistry between its lead stars. For The Devil Wears Prada 3 to move forward, the cast has reportedly formed an "all or nothing" pact. Meryl Streep, who famously required significant convincing to return as the formidable Miranda Priestly, has one non-negotiable condition for a third film: the script must be impeccable. Streep has noted that she has no interest in a project that doesn't "illuminate" new facets of Miranda’s character.
Stanley Tucci, who plays the beloved Nigel Kipling, has been vocal about the timing. In recent press rounds, he joked that a Devil Wears Prada threequel needs to happen sooner rather than later, quipping that they shouldn't wait another twenty years "unless they want to exhume us." Emily Blunt has echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that she wants more screen time with Tucci, as their characters, Emily Charlton and Nigel, are the backbone of the Runway ecosystem.
Anne Hathaway, reprising her role as Andy Sachs, believes there is still "more road to explore" regarding Andy’s evolution from a frazzled assistant to a powerhouse co-protagonist. The shift in the sequel, which saw Andy and Miranda working as peers rather than master and servant, has opened up a wealth of narrative possibilities that a third film could exploit.
Director David Frankel's 'Never Say Never' Stance
Director David Frankel, who sat in the director's chair for both the 2006 original and the 2026 sequel, has undergone a significant change of heart. After the first film, Frankel famously stated he would never return for a sequel. However, the experience of reuniting the cast and the creative freedom provided by the new script changed his perspective entirely.
Frankel recently told industry trade Variety that he would "love it" if a third opportunity arose. He pointed to the "richness" of the characters and the joy of integrating a new generation of talent into the fold. The sequel introduced rising stars like Simone Ashley, Caleb Hearon, and Helen J. Shen, whose characters—Amari Mari, Charlie, and Jin Chao—could potentially take the lead in a The Devil Wears Prada 3 production, representing the digital-first era of fashion media.
The Devil Wears Prada 3 Plot Theories: Book vs. Movie
When speculating on the plot for a third film, we must look at the literary foundations laid by author Lauren Weisberger. There is a significant divergence between the cinematic universe and the books, which provides multiple roadmaps for a threequel.
The 'Revenge Wears Prada' Roadmap
In Weisberger’s book sequel, Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns, the story picks up a decade later with Andy Sachs and Emily Charlton running a high-end bridal magazine called The Plunge. This presents a fascinating The Devil Wears Prada 3 plot theory: could Andy and Emily become business partners? The sequel movie already set this up by positioning Emily as a senior executive at Coach, moving her out of Miranda’s shadow. A third film could see them joining forces to buy out a struggling Runway or launching a rival digital platform.
The 'When Life Gives You Lululemons' Angle
Another potential avenue is the 2018 spinoff novel When Life Gives You Lululemons, which focuses entirely on Emily Charlton’s career as a high-stakes image consultant in the suburbs of Connecticut. While the movies have kept the action centered in Manhattan and Milan, a "fish out of water" story for Emily—perhaps forced to rebrand a disgraced celebrity—could provide the Anne Hathaway Prada sequel with a fresh, comedic pivot.
The Sasha Barnes Rivalry
The sequel introduced Lucy Liu as Sasha Barnes, a high-powered investor who initially attempted a coup against Miranda. While the film ended with an uneasy alliance to save Runway, the Miranda Priestly vs Sasha Barnes rivalry is far from over. A third film would likely explore the power struggle between traditional "prestige" media and the ruthless efficiency of venture capital in the fashion world.
Modernizing Runway: The Fashion Industry's Perspective
One of the most praised aspects of the recent sequel was its realistic depiction of a "modernized" Runway Magazine. Fashion industry experts have noted that the film accurately captured the shift from print dominance to TikTok-driven trends and the "influencer-fication" of the front row. For The Devil Wears Prada 3, the stakes would likely involve the total digital transformation of the industry.
Speculation is also mounting regarding the return of legendary costume designer Patricia Field. While the sequel featured stunning wardrobe choices that blended "old hits" with contemporary couture, fans are clamoring for Field’s unique eye to return for the threequel to ensure the visual storytelling remains as iconic as the dialogue written by Aline Brosh McKenna.
The Nate Question: Will Adrien Grenier Return?
A major point of contention among fans is the absence of Adrien Grenier’s Nate in the second film. Director David Frankel revealed that while the team debated his return, they couldn't find a way to integrate him that didn't feel like a forced "run-in." However, The Devil Wears Prada 3 plot theories often center on a potential reconciliation or a final "closure" scene between Andy and Nate.
As Andy has ascended to the top of the fashion world, the ideological gap between her and Nate—who famously criticized her career ambitions in the first film—has only grown. A third film could finally address this lingering thread, perhaps showing Nate as a successful chef who has finally learned to respect Andy’s professional drive.
Key Takeaways for The Devil Wears Prada 3
- Status: Not officially greenlit, but "inevitable" following a $300M box office performance.
- The Core Four: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci are all interested, provided the script is of high quality.
- Directorial Vision: David Frankel has moved from "never again" to "I'd love it," signaling a strong creative desire to continue the story.
- Plot Inspiration: Potential storylines could draw from Revenge Wears Prada or focus on the rivalry between Miranda Priestly and Sasha Barnes.
- Streaming Impact: A 428% surge in original film viewership on Disney Plus has proven the franchise’s enduring "cult classic" status.
Looking Ahead: A Potential Release Window
Given the production timelines of the previous films, if a script for The Devil Wears Prada 3 is fast-tracked by the end of this year, we could realistically see a production start date in late 2027. This would place a theatrical release somewhere in the May 2028 or May 2029 window.
The franchise has proven that it doesn't need to rely solely on nostalgia; it has successfully transitioned into a modern commentary on power, loyalty, and the price of ambition in the digital age. As Miranda Priestly would say: "That's all"—for now. But for fans of Runway, the story is clearly far from over.
