Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt Each Earn $12.5M in 'Devil Wears Prada 2' Salaries

Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt each earned $12.5 million to return in 'The Devil Wears Prada 2', according to Variety, marking a significant payday for the reunion of the film's core cast nearly two decades after the original's 2006 release. The sequel debuted worldwide on May 1 and grossed more than $300 million in its first week, reigniting interest in the franchise and spotlighting the stars' lucrative contracts.

All three actresses negotiated a "favoured nations" clause, ensuring equal pay, and also secured performance-based bonuses tied to the film's box office milestones. Industry sources indicate the strong opening has already triggered initial bonus payouts, with estimates suggesting each could earn up to $20 million if the film maintains its commercial momentum.

The sequel, directed by David Frankel, reunites the original cast including Stanley Tucci and introduces new cast members Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux and Simone Ashley. Cameos by fashion icon Donatella Versace and Lady Gaga, who contributed the original song 'Runway' to the soundtrack, add further industry credibility.

Set against the decline of print media, the film follows Miranda Priestly as she confronts her former assistant Emily Charlton, now a top executive, while Andy Sachs is drawn back into the world of Runway magazine. With its commercial success confirmed, studios are evaluating potential follow-ups and marketing expansions based on audience response.

The film's financial performance and cast compensation are expected to influence pay structures for legacy cast returns in other franchises, setting a benchmark for renegotiated deals in sequel-driven Hollywood. Final earnings figures will be confirmed after the film's second-week box office reports are released.