The Benji Barnes Parallels: Comparing Justin Theroux's Devil Wears Prada 2 Character to Jeff Bezos

The Devil Wears Prada 2 has sparked speculation among viewers who've noticed striking similarities between Justin Theroux's latest role and a real-world tech mogul.

Theroux, the 54-year-old Emmy-winning actor, portrays Benji Barnes in the sequel—an eccentric tech billionaire determined to purchase Runway magazine for his girlfriend Emily Charlton, played by Emily Blunt. Since the film's theatrical release, moviegoers have pointed out numerous parallels between the fictional character and Jeff Bezos.

Physical Transformations Post-Divorce

The movie introduces Benji through flashback scenes showing him at a heavier weight during his marriage to Sasha Barnes, portrayed by Lucy Liu. Following their split, the character undergoes a dramatic makeover involving weight loss via Ozempic and a hair transplant procedure.

This mirrors Bezos's own evolution. A New York Times profile of his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos, written by Amy Chozick, highlighted his transformation since the couple began dating. "Now, he is gym-hardened, frequently shirtless, captured mid-laugh in paparazzi photos, canoodling on his megayacht, a man who has discovered joy, love and cosmetic dermatology," Chozick wrote.

Expensive Gifts for Their Partners

Throughout The Devil Wears Prada 2, Benji continuously showers Emily with luxury presents. Emily's wardrobe features prominently throughout the film, with Dior pieces dominating her look as she works as an executive at the fashion house.

Similarly, Bezos is known for gifting Lauren high-end designer pieces, which she frequently displays in public appearances.

Philanthropic Ex-Wives

The film introduces Sasha Barnes as someone who has amassed considerable wealth following her divorce, maintains a low profile, and dedicates her resources to addressing global challenges.

Bezos's former wife, MacKenzie Scott, follows a comparable path. After their 2019 divorce, Scott—a novelist and philanthropist—has maintained privacy while distributing her wealth extensively. As of December 2025, she has donated $26.3 billion to more than 1,600 charitable organizations. With an estimated net worth of $40 billion, she ranks among the world's wealthiest women.

The Media Acquisition Rumor

A central plot element involves Emily convincing Benji to acquire Runway magazine so she can serve as its Editor-in-Chief.

For years, speculation has circulated that Bezos sought to purchase Condé Nast, the publishing conglomerate behind Vogue, to position Lauren as the successor to longtime editor Anna Wintour. A 2025 Vogue digital cover featuring Lauren in her wedding dress fueled these theories. However, Lauren has publicly denied these claims.

Blunt's Team Sets the Record Straight

Emily Blunt's representatives pushed back against the comparisons, telling The Independent that the suggestion her character was modeled after Lauren Sanchez was "absolutely not true."

"The character was originally developed 20 years ago, so this couldn't be farther from the truth," a spokesperson stated.

What Theroux Says About the Role

When discussing his portrayal with People, Theroux made no reference to Bezos. Instead, he focused on the comedic elements of playing Benji, describing the character as "such an idiot."

"The most fun thing about playing him was how silly he was," Theroux explained. "To be able to be ridiculous, wear ridiculous clothes — I have a really ridiculous hair thing going on, I'm bald, but then it's like my hair's falling out — that was the most fun."