Stanley Tucci has revealed that he decided to return to The Devil Wears Prada 2 because the sequel tackles the harsh reality of how AI and smartphones threaten the survival of traditional journalism.
Reprises his role as Nigel, the sharp-tongued art director at Runway magazineexplained Tucci that he was drawn to a script that went beyond “beautiful costumes” to explore an essential story about the disappearing need for in-depth content.
The actor noted that Nigel’s career has seen very little movement in the twenty years since the first film, as he remains very dedicated to maintaining quality in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
The sequel, which hit theaters on May 1, finds Nigel still working alongside Meryl Streep’s formidable Miranda Priestly.
Despite the stinging betrayal he suffered at her hands in the original 2003 film, Tucci says the pair have managed to maintain what he describes as a “perfectly symbiotic relationship.”
For the actor, the appeal of playing Nigel again lay in the character’s unwavering belief that the quality of one’s work is paramount, regardless of the modern obstacles stacked against magazines and newspapers.
Tucci shared The Hollywood Reporter that it was important to him that the project felt purposeful, echoing Meryl Streep’s own sentiments about returning only for a meaningful story.
He appreciated that the film deals with the modern struggle of the industry rather than just being a frivolous fashion show.
Beyond the serious themes, Tucci admitted he was eager to revisit Nigel’s subtle way of navigating the world, noting that the character plays things close to his chest and possesses a unique “peripheral vision” that makes him exceptional at his job.
The chance to deliver Nigel’s characteristic wit was of course also a big draw.
Tucci admitted that it was simply a lot of fun to step back into the character’s fashionable shoes and deliver the “snarky and slightly mean, funny lines”.
As Nigel navigates his relationship with Miranda and Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs two decades later, the film serves as a timely warning about the state of modern media while retaining the charm that made the original a classic.
