The Devil Returns to Prada and the Heights Get a Provocative Remake: 2026's Major Literary Adaptations

Subtitle: A look at the star-studded sequel 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' and the bold new 'Wuthering Heights' adaptation, exploring Hollywood's continued bet on established intellectual property.

In 2026, two major film projects highlight Hollywood's dual strategy: banking on beloved modern sequels and reimagining classic literature with a provocative edge. "The Devil Wears Prada 2" represents the ultimate safe bet, reuniting the original powerhouse cast for a long-awaited return to Runway magazine. Meanwhile, director Emerald Fennell's "Wuthering Heights," starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, aims to be the risky, conversation-starting adaptation that defines a new generation's epic romance. Both films, in their own ways, underscore the industry's reliance on pre-existing stories with built-in audience recognition.

"The Devil Wears Prada 2": The Surefire Bet

Scheduled for release on May 1, 2026, "The Devil Wears Prada 2" is a masterclass in franchise revival. The film reunites the core creative team, including director David Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna, and brings back the iconic stars: Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly, Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs, Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton, and Stanley Tucci as Nigel.

· Plot and Production: Based on Lauren Weisberger's 2013 sequel novel, "Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns," the story follows Miranda Priestly's struggle against her former assistant, Emily Charlton, now a rival executive, as they compete in the declining world of print media while Miranda nears retirement. Principal photography began in June 2025, with filming taking place in New York City, Milan, and at Newark Airport, wrapping in October 2025.
· Cast Expansion: The sequel adds significant new talent, including Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, and "Bridgerton" star Simone Ashley. High-profile cameos from fashion icon Donatella Versace and musician Lady Gaga have also generated substantial buzz.
· Audience Anticipation: The project has already demonstrated massive audience interest. Its teaser trailer was reportedly the most-viewed comedy trailer in 15 years, amassing 181.5 million views in its first 24 hours alone.

"Wuthering Heights": The Provocative Reimagining

In stark contrast to the polished corporate world of "Prada," Emerald Fennell's "Wuthering Heights" seeks to be a raw, disruptive take on Emily Brontë's 1847 Gothic novel. The film has sparked debate and intense anticipation well before its release, largely due to its bold creative choices.

· Casting and Controversy: The casting of Margot Robbie (a blonde, mid-30s actress) as the teenage, dark-haired Cathy, and Jacob Elordi as the "dark-skinned" Heathcliff has been a focal point of discussion. Robbie has publicly defended Elordi's performance, stating, "I saw him play Heathcliff, and he is Heathcliff... I honestly think he's our generation's Daniel Day-Lewis".
· Directorial Vision: Fennell, known for the Oscar-winning "Promising Young Woman" and the controversial "Saltburn," is applying her signature provocative style. Early reports from test screenings describe the film as "aggressively provocative," with Fennell aiming to create "this generation's Titanic"— an epic, heart-wrenching romance for a modern audience.
· A Modern Romance: Robbie emphasizes that while the film is provocative, its core is romantic. She described a scene where Heathcliff shelters Cathy from the rain as so powerful it "almost made me weak at the knees," framing the project as a period piece made by and for women in their 30s.

The Broader Hollywood Context: Why These Films Matter

The simultaneous development of these two high-profile projects is not a coincidence. It reflects broader, long-term trends in the film industry where sequels, remakes, and adaptations have become dominant strategies.

The Sequel Surge
Sequels and prequels now account for almost a third of all top-grossing movies, twice the level of a decade ago. "The Devil Wears Prada 2" is a textbook example of this low-risk, high-reward model. As noted in industry analysis, Hollywood is often "stuck on repeat," opting for projects with a pre-sold audience in an era where theatrical recovery is fragile and the financial stakes are enormous.

The Adaptation Engine
Similarly, adaptations of existing material—from books, comics, or prior films—consistently make up over half of the top-grossing films each year. Both "Prada 2" (a book adaptation and a sequel) and "Wuthering Heights" (a classic literary adaptation) fit squarely within this trend. They represent different ends of the adaptation spectrum: one is a contemporary, brand-focused sequel, while the other is a classic novel reinterpreted through a modern, auteur-driven lens.

Originality in a Franchise World
This landscape raises questions about the space for original storytelling. As some critics argue, truly original, mid-budget dramas have increasingly migrated to television, while cinema focuses on "amusement-park procedurals" built on familiar intellectual property. However, a film like Fennell's "Wuthering Heights" attempts to bridge that gap, using a known title as a platform for a distinct and daring directorial vision. Its success or failure could signal whether there is room for audacious creativity within the framework of classic IP.

For moviegoers, 2026 offers a clear choice. You can return to the comfort of a beloved world with "The Devil Wears Prada 2," a film designed to deliver exactly what fans loved the first time, but with new twists. Or, you can opt for the challenging, passionate, and contentious new take on "Wuthering Heights," which promises to break conventions rather than follow them. Together, these films encapsulate the current state of mainstream filmmaking: a business cautiously leaning on proven brands while occasionally allowing bold artists to repurpose the classics for a new age.