NEW YORK — Two decades after becoming a modern U.S. classic, “The Devil Wears Prada” returned with its sequel as its main cast reunited on Monday for the world premiere of the film’s follow-up.

Meryl Streep, who reprises her role as the formidable magazine editor Miranda Priestly, was joined on the red carpet by Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci.

“It was like, why did it take so long?” Streep said in an interview with Disney Plus when asked about returning to her character. Tucci echoed the sentiment, saying: “Yes, exactly. It was like riding a bicycle.”

The sequel, titled “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” follows a now-established Andy Sachs (Hathaway) as she returns to Runway Magazine, where Priestly is dealing with the decline of print media.

The story also brings Priestly into conflict with her former assistant Emily Charlton (Blunt), who is now a powerful executive controlling advertising revenue that Priestly needs to keep the magazine afloat.

Actor Kenneth Branagh joins the cast as Miranda’s new husband, alongside newcomers Simone Ashley and Lucy Liu.

Fashion remained a central theme at the premiere, where Streep appeared in a red Givenchy outfit. She also said that all costumes, accessories, and fashion items used in the film will be auctioned for the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Hathaway and Blunt, who wore Louis Vuitton and Schiaparelli respectively, credited fans for the film’s return.

“We’re literally here because of you, because you took us into your hearts and kept us there for 20 years and said ‘we want more.’ That’s why this whole dream has continued for us,” Hathaway said in an interview with Disney Plus.

Also present at the premiere was former Vogue editor Anna Wintour, widely believed to have inspired Streep’s character in the original film.

“The Devil Wears Prada 2” will open in Philippine cinemas on April 29, followed by its North American release on May 1.