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For countless individuals who grew up with it, The Princess Diaries remains a cherished film, and thankfully, a third installment is finally on the horizon, as reported by Variety. The movie’s leading lady, Anne Hathaway, herself broke the news on Instagram on October 4, 2024. Since then, however, details have been scarce.
The original Disney production, which premiered in 2001, quickly became a phenomenon. Drawing inspiration from Meg Cabot’s celebrated book series, the story centers on Mia Thermopolis, an everyday teenager who discovers her royal lineage in the nation of Genovia. The Princess Diaries propelled Anne to stardom and gifted viewers with an iconic on-screen partnership: Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews, portraying Mia and Queen Clarissa Renaldi, respectively.
The success of the first movie paved the way for its sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, released in 2004. Since its release, fans have consistently expressed their desire for a third film. Recently, anticipation for The Princess Diaries 3 has reached an all-time high. Hollywood Life provides you with all the essential information regarding the highly anticipated sequel.
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Will There Be A Princess Diaries 3?
Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway in ‘The Princess Diaries 2.’ (Everett Collection)
Discussions about a third installment of The Princess Diaries have been circulating since 2016. Director Garry Marshall had intentions of making another movie. “I met with Anne Hathaway a couple of weeks ago. It seems we aim to produce The Princess Diaries 3 in Manhattan,” Garry shared with People in March 2016. Sadly, the renowned director passed away a few months later, in July 2016, due to complications from pneumonia following a stroke.
Furthermore, a script was developed at one point. “There is a script for the third movie… There is a script,” Anne confirmed on Watch What Happens Live in 2019. Specifics concerning the plot outlined in the script have been kept confidential. The narrative of The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement concluded with Mia ascending to the throne of Genovia and achieving her fairytale ending with Nicholas. A subsequent film might incorporate elements from Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries book series and potentially introduce Mia’s half-sister, Olivia Grace.
On November 16, 2022, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Disney was officially developing a third movie! While the screenplay is being penned by Aadrita Mukerji (known for her work on Reacher and Supergirl), it remains uncertain whether Anne Hathaway will reprise her beloved role as the relatable royal Mia Thermopolis in this new chapter. Similarly, Julie Andrews’ participation is yet to be confirmed. However, Anne has voiced her enthusiasm for returning to the franchise and has indicated that Julie would also be open to another film.
In 2024, Mia Thermopolis herself shared the news via Instagram, following Variety’s confirmation. “Miracles do happen. Returning to Genovia with @adeleblim @disney @somewherepictures. The fairy tale continues,” the actress captioned the post from October 4, 2024.
Princess Diaries 3 Release Date
At present, there is no official release date set for the third film, which will be helmed by director Adele Lim. The director expressed to Variety, “As a dedicated admirer of the original ‘Princess Diaries,’ I am incredibly excited to be part of bringing the third iteration of this beloved franchise to life.” She further added, “We are eager to share its core values of female empowerment, joy, and mentorship with audiences globally.”
Who Is in the Princess Diaries 3 Cast?
Although the complete cast list has not yet been disclosed, the principal actors from The Princess Diaries films are reportedly eager to return for The Princess Diaries 3. “I’m keen to do it. Julie [Andrews] is keen to do it. Debra Martin Chase, our producer, is keen to do it. We are all really hoping it materializes,” Anne stated on Watch What Happens Live in 2019. “We just don’t want to proceed unless it’s perfect, because we cherish it as much as you all do. It holds the same importance for us as it does for you, and we are committed to delivering it only when it’s ready, but we are actively working on it, so…”
In 2020, Julie shared that she would be “open” to reprising her role as Clarisse, though nothing was finalized. “I’ve heard rumors that there might be one,” she commented on The Talk. “It’s been discussed for a long time, but nothing concrete has landed on my desk. I believe I would [participate]. I’m getting quite elderly and a bit grumpy. I’m not certain if the timing is right, but I think collaborating with Annie [Anne Hathaway] again would be a wonderful experience, and yes, I would certainly be open to it.”
“I’m getting awfully old and crotchety. I’m not sure if it’s the right timing, but I think to work with Annie [Hathaway] would be lovely again. And yeah, sure I would be up for it.” – @JulieAndrews on a potential “Princess Diary 3” movie. pic.twitter.com/0qY07FlFMi
— The Talk (@TheTalkCBS) April 27, 2020
She added, “I think we should await the arrival of a script. Naturally, we won’t have the brilliant Garry Marshall, who directed it. He has passed. He was truly the cornerstone of the entire project.”
Julie was once again queried about returning for a third film at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, prior to receiving the AFI Life Achievement Award in June 2022. “I’m not sure, I believe I’m the one — she’s likely still suitable for it, but I might be a bit too much of an old granny for it, I don’t know,” Julie confided to Entertainment Tonight. “It depends on the story, and if they can conceive of something, that would be marvelous,” she elaborated. “But if not, there will be other ventures.”
Chris Pine, who joined The Princess Diaries universe as Nicholas in the sequel, indicated to Extra in May 2022 that he would be willing to return if the third movie were set “in Los Angeles, I’ll be there… if it’s in L.A. It’s my hometown. I have a great deal of pride.”
This Is Us star Mandy Moore, who portrayed the antagonistic Lana in the first film, is completely open to a comeback. “If I were to be involved, I would be game for a cameo—perhaps she could reconcile with Mia and apologize for her past bullying behavior. She was experiencing insecurity and a difficult phase in her life and has since reflected on why that was not acceptable,” she shared with Elle.com in 2017.
Two years later, in 2019, Mandy revealed to People Now that she would certainly be interested in seeing if life had humbled Lana “a few pegs because she was the school bully [if she returns]. I’d like to see her life come full circle and maybe she’s a bit more, well, modest. I would be ready for that!”
During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show in August 2022, Mandy stated she would “be game” to participate in Princess Diaries 3. She also clarified that she had “heard nothing” about the film, apart from speculative rumors of its development. “My character was the antagonist to Anne Hathaway’s character in the initial film. She was quite unkind. I feel that perhaps there’s no place for her. However, another perspective is that maybe she has undergone a complete transformation and turned her life around, and she and Mia could become very good friends.”
Heather Matarazzo, who played Mia’s best friend Lily, discussed her potential return in a 2016 interview commemorating the 15th anniversary of the original movie. “If Annie and Julie are on board, then absolutely,” she told Cosmopolitan.
Raven-Symone is fully committed to The Princess Diaries 3, provided she gets to collaborate with Julie again. “Do I get to sing with Julie Andrews once more?! Yes, I’m returning for Princess Diaries 3!” she exclaimed to Buzzfeed. “If I have the opportunity to sing with Julie Andrews again, that would be incredible! As a huge fan of Mary Poppins, that would be pure bliss for me.”
Heather Matarazzo, Anne Hathaway, and Mandy Moore in ‘The Princess Diaries.’ (Everett Collection)
In 2017, author Meg Cabot confided to EW that there was interest in developing The Princess Diaries 3 as a “tribute” to the late Garry Marshall. Nevertheless, she had no further information beyond the existence of a script. “So, who knows? It could materialize, as they say,” Meg remarked.
She stated that she was “not permitted” to disclose the plot of a potential third Princess Diaries film. “I would love to sit and discuss [it], but I am unable to. I am not allowed,” she specified. “However, it is much more aligned with the movie than the books. So, if she — in the latest version I reviewed, she certainly did not discover that she has a younger half-sister of mixed race … which I personally would have found hilarious, but that was not the direction they were pursuing.”
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