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The Revelation: Breaking the Anna Wintour Myth
For nearly two decades, fans of The Devil Wears Prada have been convinced that the icy, dragon-lady fashion editor Miranda Priestly was a direct mirror of Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. However, with the highly anticipated sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2, set for a worldwide theatrical release on May 1, 2026, Meryl Streep has finally set the record straight.
In a surprising revelation during her appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on April 1, 2026, the 76-year-old Oscar winner debunked the long-standing theory. Streep revealed that her portrayal was actually an imitation of two Hollywood titans: Mike Nichols and Clint Eastwood.
“I was basically imitating Mike Nichols the whole time,” Streep told Colbert. “If Mike Nichols and Clint Eastwood had a baby… it would be Miranda Priestly.”
The Blueprint: How Nichols and Eastwood Created a Monster
Streep explained that she meticulously blended the directing styles of these two legends to create Miranda’s specific brand of terror.
1. The “Sly Humor” of Mike Nichols:
Streep worked with the late Mike Nichols on films like Silkwood and Angels in America. She noted that he possessed a unique “command on the set” that wasn’t loud but was incredibly sharp. Nichols would often use a “sly humor” that felt snide to outsiders but was actually funny to those in his circle. This became the basis for Miranda’s witty, soul-crushing one-liners.
2. The “Soft Whisper” of Clint Eastwood:
Perhaps the most iconic part of Miranda Priestly is her voice—the quiet, low-volume tone that forces everyone in the room to lean forward. Streep admits this was stolen directly from her Bridges of Madison County director, Clint Eastwood.
“Clint would never raise his voice. He would direct, and people had to lean forward to hear what he was saying,” Streep recalled. By refusing to shout, Miranda (and Eastwood) exerted more power than any scream ever could.
The Vogue Reunion: When Miranda Met Anna
Adding to the 2026 hype, Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour appeared together on the cover of the May 2026 issue of Vogue, photographed by Annie Leibovitz. In a historic conversation moderated by Greta Gerwig, the “two Mirandas” finally discussed the character’s legacy.
Wintour, showing her characteristic poise, called Streep’s portrayal an “extraordinary gift,” even if it was a caricature. Streep, meanwhile, admitted that during the first film, designers were so “afraid” of Wintour that they wouldn’t lend clothes to the production—a problem they certainly didn’t face for the sequel!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Was Miranda Priestly based on Anna Wintour?
While the original book by Lauren Weisberger was inspired by her time as Wintour’s assistant, Meryl Streep’s performance was specifically modeled after directors Mike Nichols and Clint Eastwood.
2. What did Meryl Streep say about the “chick-flick” label?
Streep expressed frustration that the original 2006 film had to “scramble for its budget” because studios dismissed it as a “chick-flick.” She noted that the sequel had no such issues, as female-led films like Barbie have changed the industry’s perspective.
3. When is ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ being released?
The film is scheduled to hit theaters globally on May 1, 2026.
4. Who is the director of the sequel?
While the original was directed by David Frankel, the 2026 sequel sees a return of the core cast—Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt—under high-budget studio backing.
5. What is the plot of ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’?
The story follows Miranda Priestly as she faces the decline of traditional print media, eventually reuniting with Andy Sachs (Hathaway) to face off against her former assistant turned rival, Emily Charlton (Blunt).
Author: bollywoodview.in
