Meryl Streep Champions Older Women in Film as She Returns for Prada Sequel

Meryl Streep has stated she is happy to represent older women in leading roles, a rarity in mainstream cinema, as she prepares to return as Miranda Priestly in *The Devil Wears Prada 2*. At a press conference, she noted that women over 50 often disappear from on-screen visibility in the industry. The sequel reunites much of the original cast, including Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt, to navigate the world of fashion publishing two decades later. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on May 1.

Key Points: Meryl Streep on Representing Older Women in Devil Wears Prada 2

  • Streep highlights lack of roles for women over 50
  • She reprises iconic Miranda Priestly role
  • Sequel reunites original cast after 20 years
  • Film tackles decline of traditional magazine publishing
3 min read

Meryl Streep says she is "happy to represent" older women in lead roles

Meryl Streep, 76, discusses the rarity of lead roles for older women as she reprises Miranda Priestly in the upcoming Devil Wears Prada sequel.

Meryl Streep says she is "happy to represent" older women in lead roles
"I'm happy to represent. - Meryl Streep"

New York, April 10

Hollywood actor Meryl Streep has said she is "happy to represent" older women in leading roles as she returns to the big screen with the upcoming film The Devil Wears Prada 2. The actor, who will soon turn 77, reprises her iconic role as Miranda Priestly in the sequel to the 2006 hit film, according to People.

Speaking at a press conference in Japan alongside co-star Anne Hathaway, Streep highlighted the lack of representation for older women in mainstream cinema.

"I do think that there's something in this one that's unusual, because you don't see many 70-, almost 77-year-old women playing parts like this in any movie or under any circumstance," she said, adding with a laugh, "So I'm happy to represent."

Streep further noted that women over 50 often fade from on-screen visibility in the entertainment industry.

"Often women over 50, I'd say, disappear into the woodwork. Their interests and opinions are less valued in our culture," she said, adding that it is encouraging to see such characters portrayed with influence and relevance.

Streep reprises one of her most beloved characters, Miranda Priestly, in the upcoming sequel to the iconic 2006 movie The Devil Wears Prada. The movie also sees Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt reprising their roles as the cast reunites at the fictional offices of Runway magazine 20 years after the original movie, according to People.

Based on Lauren Weisberger's book of the same name, The Devil Wears Prada originally followed Andy Sachs (Hathaway, now 43), a recent college graduate eager to pursue a career in journalism. Andy gets a job as a junior assistant for Miranda (Streep, 76), the editor-in-chief of Runway, a fictional high-fashion magazine. Streep received an Oscar nomination for her performance in the movie, and her character has been compared to real-life Vogue editor Anna Wintour over the years.

New cast members who will appear in the upcoming sequel include Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, B.J. Novak, Pauline Chalamet, Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon and Broadway stars Helen J. Shen and Conrad Ricamora.

According to a press release, actors Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman will also reprise their roles as "Lily" and "Irv" from the original movie. Adrian Grenier, who played Andy's boyfriend in the original movie, will not return for the sequel, according to People.

Streep most recently voiced a character in Pixar's Hoppers and made a funny voice cameo in Ryan Gosling's Project Hail Mary, according to People.

According to Variety, The Devil Wears Prada 2 follows Priestly "as she navigates her career amid the decline of traditional magazine publishing and as she faces off against Blunt's character, now a high-powered executive for a luxury group with advertising dollars that Priestly desperately needs."

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is scheduled for theatrical release on May 1.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Respectfully, while her point is valid for Hollywood, I wish our own veteran actresses like Shabana Azmi or Kirron Kher got this kind of platform and hype. Our media celebrates Western stars but often ignores our own legends.
S
Sarah B
She's absolutely right. Women don't become irrelevant after 50. Their experience and wisdom should be valued on screen. Looking forward to the sequel!
R
Rohit P
Good for her! But let's be honest, this is a sequel to a super popular film. Would a *new* film with a 77-year-old female lead get made? Probably not. The industry still has a long way to go.
M
Meera T
This makes me so happy! As a woman in her 50s, I feel seen. We need more stories about women at all stages of life. Also, the original film is a classic - excited for May 1st!

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