The Empire Film Podcast The Interviews (ft. David Frankel & BenDavid Grabinski)
Apr 30, 2026
BenDavid Grabinski, writer-director of the time-travel action comedy Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, blends genre thrills with heart and sharp comic set-pieces. David Frankel, director of The Devil Wears Prada and its sequel, discusses reuniting the iconic cast, updating the story for today, and crafting glossy, funny dramas with emotional stakes. They dive into casting, tone and production choices.
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One Phone Call Reunited The Original Cast
- Casting hinged on getting the original principal cast back, especially Meryl Streep as Miranda.
- Frankel describes pitching a relevant story to Streep, then one call to Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci brought them excitedly on board with a few character-request tweaks.
Actor Notes Changed The Script
- Cast members requested changes to their characters, leading to script rewrites.
- Emily Blunt suggested adding a scene with all four leads together, which the writers rewrote into the film early on.
Late Casting Gave Nigel His Voice
- Nigel's casting came late in the original shoot and transformed the role into a soulful comic anchor.
- Frankel recounts casting Stanley Tucci four weeks into shooting; his first scene instantly defined Nigel's voice.