A planned sequel and a West End musical – but is The Devil Wears Prada out of step with our times?

A follow-up to the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada is in the works, with original screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna in talks to write the script. The original film, starring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep, was a global hit, taking in $327 million at the box office. A stage musical adaptation of the film is also set to open in London's West End, starring Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestly, with music by Elton John. The Devil Wears Prada was based on Lauren Weisberger's 2003 novel, which was inspired by her time working as Anna Wintour's assistant at US Vogue. The film was a witty take on the fashion industry, which is rare in cinema. The fashion industry has been portrayed poorly in film, with exceptions like Ben Stiller's Zoolander. Other fashion films, such as Prêt-à-Porter and Confessions of a Shopaholic, have been less successful. The Devil Wears Prada's portrayal of body standards and corporate exploitation may appear dated in today's context. The film's themes and issues have been reexamined almost two decades after its release. The franchise's revival has sparked a reevaluation of its problematic elements.