Nearly two decades after its release, The Devil Wears Prada is returning to our screens with its next chapter. If it were to have a Filipino version, who could play the roles of Miranda Priestly, Andrea Sachs, and Emily Charlton?
Lauren Weisberger’s thinly veiled roman à clef, The Devil Wears Prada, about her time in the fashion industry turned into the iconic 2006 film which fascinated generations of fashionistas, journalists, or both. The sequel is reportedly in the works at Disney, with Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt reprising their character. Meanwhile, Anne Hathaway is in talks to reprise her role as Andrea ‘Andy’ Sachs. Nevertheless, in this dramedy slash bite-the-boss fiction, the beloved characters who adorn the fashion firmament return. If it were to have a Filipino version, much like Philippine entertainment adapting Korean shows, who could play the sweet Andy, the harried Emily Charlton, and the Prada-wearing devil herself, Miranda? MEGA Entertainment has some ideas.
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The Tyrannical Editor-in-Chief of Runway, Miranda Priestly
Miranda, the center of a fashion empire, is adored, honored, and most of all, feared. Under her dedication and leadership, Runway has become the authoritative view on fashion trends. To play the iron-fisted Miranda Priestly, would Gloria Diaz, Dolly De Leon, and, perhaps a younger version: Heart Evangelista make a good Prada-wearing devil?
Gloria Diaz
Miss Universe herself Gloria Diaz is no stranger to the glitter and glimmer of fashion. She is no stranger to playing glacial characters as well—in fact, for Netflix’s Insatiable, she was ice queen incarnate, harsh in drilling sense into Debby Ryan’s Patty, an aspiring pageant queen. The director told Gloria to “act like a diva,” and the actress took that in stride, saying, “That sounds like me, anyway.” Her daughter, Isabelle Daza, said her mother was essentially just “playing herself.”
Dolly De Leon
Veteran actress Dolly De Leon has played Molly Suzara in A Very Good Girl, a powerful woman with many layers, a retail mogul clothed in luxurious gowns, and a boss from hell to the hilt. Sounds much like Miranda Priestly, does it not?
Heart Evangelista
Though much younger, Heart Evangelista has established herself as a global fashion icon. If there’s anyone who can nail Miranda’s taciturn personality—speaking in calm tones yet still eliciting an imposing presence that makes anyone around her shudder—Heart is it. Plus, the global fashion icon is unrivaled in style—the same way the editor-in-chief is.
Miranda’s Overworked Right Hand, Emily Charlton
Devoted to the magazine and her boss, Emily Charlton is chic, cold, and glamorous. A comical fashionista presence or a rude demeaning coworker, Emily is a character who needs to be played by someone with a lively and impertinent spirit—able to put some bite into the lines.
Kim Molina
Kim Molina has made a seamless transition from theater to television and movies; impressed audiences with her winsome performances in movies like #WalangForever, Jowable, and My Zombabe. Combining dramatic and comedy together was something Emily Blunt was able to do for Emily Charlton, and Kim Molina has demonstrated she is also capable.
Alyssa Muhlach
Miranda’s first hand is full of spunk and crackling wit—qualities Alyssa Muhlach possesses. Her electric delivery of biting retorts as Jill in 2 Good 2 Be True can make for a good Emily—unapologetic, brash, and ambitious. Even though Emily’s biting remarks and sharp wit were delightfully funny, her backhanded commentary was still villainous—something Alyssa is well-versed in.
Maris Racal
As proven in Can’t Buy Me Love, Maris’s portrayal of Irene Tiu has made her a scene-stealer, turning what would’ve otherwise been a token supporting role into a wonderfully unforgettable one. Maris has also proved her range when it comes to acting abilities, and there’s no doubt she can easily step into Emily’s shoes—no matter how high-heeled they may be.
The Wide-Eyed Promising Assistant, Andrea Sachs
The fresh graduate Andrea with big dreams is sweetly clueless about her lack of style, confused about the difference between turquoise and cerulean, and conflicted about a world that prizes perfect nails, designer frocks, and Manolo Blahnik shoes. Through the film, it is clear she thinks her true calling is elsewhere—not delivering hot lattes quickly in high heels. Nonetheless, she embraces the assistant position, delivering the iconic fashion montage as she walks the streets of New York. Andy is wonderfully complex—her unbecoming superiority complex later on leads her to have to decide if the job is worth the price of her true sense of self.
Marian Rivera
The truth is, it takes superhero-like powers to an assistant; and who else can nail the role physically, mentally, and emotionally? Darna would! Marian Rivera has had several top-of-the-callsheet roles—each one she plays with keen physical affect, wacky charm, and on-screen command. She is genre-defining; Marian has proven her mettle as someone able steer the movie in her own terms—much like Andy decides to do for her life at the end of the film.
Barbie Forteza
Known as the Primetime Princess, the actress has a knack for understanding her characters’ inner machinations. What a testament, to Barbie’s marvelous performances, then, that her quieter moments—of confusion, heartbreak, solitary frustration—register just as potently as her loud and crying ones.
Nadine Lustre
For her bubbly and wacky character in Diary ng Panget, her sincere and authentic performance in Para sa Hopeless Romantic, and assertive and ambitious yet loving Joanne in Never Not Love You, Nadine Lustre has proved she can command the cameras and truly embrace a character. A clumsy, charming, sweet, and clueless individual such as Andy could be her comeback to dramedy.
Photos and Featured Image: ABS-CBN NEWS (Via Website), DOLLY DE LEON, HEART EVANGELISTA, KIM MOLINA, ALYSSA MUHLACH, MARIS RACAL, MARIAN RIVERA, BARBIE FORTEZA, NADINE LUSTRE (Via Instagram)
