Since The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a sequel to a beloved movie, many expect it will easily draw viewers. However, this assumption may overlook some nuances.
For someone unfamiliar with the original story, the title might suggest something eerie or intense, like a horror film. In fact, the Vietnamese title, The Woman Who Loves Luxury Goods 2, gives a clearer picture. It shows that the focus is on a woman who adores luxury items, and it’s a sequel—simple and straightforward.
This kind of title change highlights a fun trend in filmmaking: some foreign markets rebrand movies with titles that often make more sense. Take Bad Santa, for example. This title hints at a mischievous Santa, but in the Czech Republic, it’s called Santa Is a Pervert. Now that’s direct!
Germany has a knack for clever translations, too. They’ve renamed Annie Hall to The Urban Neurotic and Airplane! to The Incredible Journey in a Crazy Airplane. A humorous approach fits seamlessly with the theme.
Asian markets often go above and beyond. In China, Knocked Up became One Night, Big Belly, painting a vivid picture of the storyline. While some titles may fall flat, like The Full Monty being called Six Naked Pigs, many are creative.
However, sometimes these translations can reveal too much. For instance, Thelma and Louise has an eye-catching but overly explanatory title in Mexico, which translates to An Unexpected Ending. It gives away the plot twist, losing some of the mystery.
Interestingly, the notion of renaming films is not entirely factual. The urban legend that James Bond movies were titled Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is inaccurate. This name was first coined by an Italian writer to describe Bond’s charm. Yet, it perfectly captures the essence of the character.
There’s also a flipside to this trend. American adaptations have at times watered down titles. Take La Vie d’Adèle, which became Blue Is the Warmest Color in the U.S.—a name that lacks the original’s depth.
As we anticipate the potential success of The Devil Wears Prada 2, one can hope that if there’s a third installment, it stays true to the straight-to-the-point style of its Vietnamese title. That way, expectations will be clear right from the start.
For those interested in more about this topic, check out the official review of The Devil Wears Prada 2 here.
