The Devil Wears Prada 2 showcases equal $12.5 M salaries and modern work‑precarity themes

The sequel to The Devil Wears Prada has become a box‑office hit, topping $300 million worldwide. According to Variety, its three lead actresses—Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt—each signed a "favored‑nation" contract guaranteeing a base payment of $12.5 million plus performance bonuses, a rare equal‑pay arrangement in an industry known for steep salary hierarchies. Streep’s leverage was used to level the compensation field rather than to maximize her own earnings.

Beyond the financial deal, the film uses its story to comment on today’s labor market. It depicts a workplace where talent and hard work no longer guarantee job security. Characters experience layoffs, algorithm‑driven editorial decisions and the pressure of social‑media metrics, reflecting broader concerns about precarity in fashion, journalism and other creative sectors.

The dual focus on a historic salary pact and the depiction of an increasingly unstable professional environment makes the movie a cultural touchstone for discussions on equity and the evolving nature of work.