Meryl Streep Says “The Devil Wears Prada” Was Initially Labeled a “Chick Flick,” a Tag That No Longer Applies After “Barbie” and “Mamma Mia!”

According to the CinemaDrame News Agency, as the release of “The Devil Wears Prada 2” approaches on May 1, Meryl Streep has reflected on the changes—and continuities—within the film industry over the two decades since the original film’s debut.

During an appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Streep said that the original “The Devil Wears Prada”—in which she played the powerful fashion editor Miranda Priestly and Anne Hathaway portrayed her anxious assistant Andy—was labeled a “chick flick” and was given a very limited budget.

Streep said: “That label doesn’t work anymore after ‘Barbie’ and ‘Mamma Mia!’ and other films that completely surprised studios, and that people genuinely wanted to see because women were at the center of the story. So we really had to fight for our budget.”

She added that she had even discussed this issue with Greta Gerwig, the director of “Barbie,” who is rumored to be collaborating with her on Netflix’s upcoming “Narnia” project: “I talked to Greta about it. It was somewhat the same for ‘Barbie,’ compared to the budgets allocated to other films.”

However, for “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” in which Streep and Hathaway’s characters reunite to confront the current crisis in print journalism, Streep says budget was not an issue: “This one, baby—they spent!”

The legendary actress, who has won three Academy Awards over the course of her career, also explained to Colbert the inspiration behind the character of Miranda Priestly. Although it is commonly believed that Anna Wintour inspired the character in Lauren Weisberger’s original book, Streep said she actually looked to two renowned film directors for Miranda’s gestures and delivery.

Streep said: “If Mike Nichols and Clint Eastwood had a child, it would be Miranda Priestly. Because she simply has complete control of the room. Mike did it with a sly sense of humor, and Miranda knows her lines are a bit biting, but also a little funny. And she’s calm, because Clint never raised his voice. He directed in a way that made people lean in to hear him.”