Devil Wears Prada 2: The Real Reason Adrian Grenier’s Nate Cameo Was Cut
Buzz is building for The Devil Wears Prada 2, but don’t expect Adrian Grenier’s Nate to return. The actor and director David Frankel explain why a planned cameo was scrapped behind the scenes—and what it means for the sequel.
If you felt a little déjà vu when you heard about The Devil Wears Prada 2 but noticed something – or rather, someone – missing, you’re not alone. Yes, most of the original crew is back for this sequel, but one rather polarizing character has been given the boot (or at least, a long vacation): Nate, played by Adrian Grenier. Fans definitely clocked it immediately, which led to some behind-the-curtain explanations from both Grenier and director David Frankel.
So… Where’s Nate?
Let’s get it out of the way: Grenier isn’t ghosting the franchise just for fun. Turns out there were talks about slipping him back in for a quick cameo in Prada 2. Director David Frankel came clean—there was an idea late in production for Grenier to make an appearance, but reality got in the way. “It was just too late in our production schedule to make it happen,” Frankel told EW. Basically, the film was already barreling towards the finish line before anyone could make the cameo work.
How Does Grenier Feel?
If you’re wondering if Grenier’s bitter about being left out, the answer is: kind of, but he gets it. He told PEOPLE that he was “disappointed” to be sitting this one out. But he’s also not exactly playing the victim. He’s aware of how much heat Nate’s character caught from fans after the original movie. Short version: a loud corner of the internet pretty much agreed that Nate was unsupportive of Andy (Anne Hathaway) as her career was taking off. Grenier gets it now—he told EW he can see why people think Nate came off “selfish and self-involved.” That’s probably the nicest way to sum up years of memes and Twitter rants about the guy.
Quick Refresher: Who’s Actually Back?
- Anne Hathaway returns as Andy
- Meryl Streep, obviously, as Miranda Priestly (let’s be real, she IS the movie)
- Emily Blunt brings back her iconic deadpan assistant persona
- Stanley Tucci is back to deliver knockout lines and impeccable style
The sequel lands in theaters May 1 and, from everything we know, picks up nearly twenty years after the original. The story promises new twists but keeps the main dynamic trio front and center—just, you know, minus the boyfriend drama this time around.
Let’s Read Between the Lines
Honestly, Nate’s absence seems to be a mix of pure scheduling logistics and that lingering cloud of fan backlash. There’s a sense that even if the film had more time, the will to bring Nate back wasn’t exactly overwhelming—unless we’re talking a stand-alone spin-off (which Grenier himself only kind of jokes about). In his own words:
My character might need a spin-off.
I wouldn’t start buying Nate-themed merch any time soon, but stranger things have happened.
Bottom line: The Devil Wears Prada 2 brings the fashion and fireworks, just without Nate holding a grudge in the background. Maybe that’s for the best.