Almost 20 years later, Anne Hathaway is returning to one of the most popular roles of her career. The actress is rejoining the cast of The Devil Wears Prada 2 as Andy Sachs, and even though audiences around the world are looking forward to returning to the glamorous and dramatic Runway magazine, Hathaway has confessed that the sequel came with its fair share of pressure.
The Devil Wears Prada was a cultural phenomenon when it was first released in 2006. It was more than just a movie about fashion. It was a tale of ambition, career development, hard bosses and discovering your own way. The viewers still related to the characters, particularly, Andy Sachs, the young journalist who joined the glamorous yet challenging fashion world with Miranda Priestly as the leader.
And now that the sequel has finally come to a reality, Hathaway is aware that people are expecting a lot. It has been years since fans could see these characters on the screen, and there is never a sense of ease when a movie with a so rich legacy receives a second sequel. Hathaway was candid about that emotion in a recent interview and elaborated that she knew what was expected out of the movie.
She said, “I’m kind of through that time in my life. I don’t really want to focus on that part. I just kind of accept it. Of course, there’s pressure, of course there’s expectation, of course there’s these things. But this is the team that did it the first time. I would have felt scared if I was with a different team”.
That trust appears to have been a huge difference to Hathaway. Going back to work with proven actors such as Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci must have been a more comfortable, less daunting experience. The initial cast established a good rapport in the screen, and this is one of the reasons why the movie became so memorable.
The remarks by Hathaway depict her maturity as well. The pressures of work and expectations of the masses might have been greater in her early days as a professional. However, this time around she looks more assured and concentrated on the job at hand and not the commotion surrounding it. Such maturity is usually earned through experience, particularly by years of working in an industry where every job, interview and appearance is scrutinized.
The actress also thought about the extent to which the story continues to have an impact on people across the globe. Even decades later, the movie can still be discussed by fans, still quoted, and reflected on the moments of fashion that have become iconic in the movie. Hathaway said that she has been amazed by the extent to which people still identify with the characters.
She mentioned that she had been told by so many people that they had dreamed big in their lives due to these characters and that it was much to see that it was not only in New York City alone but also in Seoul, South Korea and Shanghai that it is true.
The reason why the sequel is so important is that global connection. Not many movies can remain applicable this long, particularly in a fast-paced world where fads come and go. Nevertheless, The Devil Wears Prada has stayed popular due to its blend of fashion, humor, emotion and career struggles that continue to resonate with an audience even now.
The hype of the sequel has already been enormous. Recently, the cast gathered together to premiere the movie in New York City, with Hathaway sporting a bright red dress that stood out instantly. The movie also has a solid fan base internationally as fans have been able to track the press tour of the movie in cities such as Seoul and Shanghai.
Even the sequel is now one of the most anticipated movie releases of the year. Reports indicate that the trailer of the movie was among the most watched comedy trailers in years indicating that there is still much interest in the world of Andy Sachs and Miranda Priestly.
Hathaway has also in the past said how weird being an actor is. She said that she is privileged to alternate between big Hollywood movies and small independent ones. To her, these two kinds of work are important and she appreciates being at liberty to do both.
Once she declared that it is such a weird job you make a commitment to and I never felt like I could do it myself that I loved independent movies as much as I did and you are always thankful to be able to work on one side of the street and be able to cross the road to the other of the two.
That viewpoint can also be the reason why Hathaway appears more down-to-earth nowadays. She does not seem to be overwhelmed by expectations as she is enjoying the process even in the midst of the excitement surrounding a big sequel. To most actors, it may be a risk to go back to a role after 20 years. The audiences have the expectation of the same magic that they experienced the first time and that is not always easy to replicate.
Nevertheless, the relaxed attitude of Hathaway implies that she believes in the story and the individuals who created it. The fact that most members of the original creative staff have come back to the sequel gives it a feeling of continuity which can help in making the film feel natural as opposed to artificial.
