It’s time to head back to Genovia! Anne Hathaway, the beloved star of The Princess Diaries franchise, is officially reprising her role as the awkward-turned-royal Mia Thermopolis in the much-anticipated third installment of the series. Disney greenlit The Princess Diaries 3, and Hathaway took to Instagram to share the exciting news with her fans. “Miracles happen. Back to Genovia,” she captioned her post, quoting one of the iconic tracks from the original film, alongside a montage of classic “Shut up!” moments from the previous movies.
For die-hard fans who grew up with the heartwarming story of Mia’s rise from high school misfit to royal heir, this announcement marks a nostalgic return to the beloved fictional kingdom of Genovia. The 41-year-old actress has not only confirmed her return but will also serve as a producer on the project through her banner, Somewhere Pictures.
This time around, The Princess Diaries 3 will be helmed by acclaimed director Adele Lim, known for her work on Joy Ride, Crazy Rich Asians, and Raya and the Last Dragon. Lim expressed her enthusiasm in a recent statement, sharing how special it is for her to join the franchise. “As a diehard fan of the original Princess Diaries, I’m beyond excited to be a part of bringing the third iteration of this beloved franchise to life,” said Lim. She further added that the film would celebrate its core themes of “female power, joy, and mentorship” with a global audience.
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The film is produced by Debra Martin Chase, who backed the original series, and executive produced by Naia Cucukov and Melissa Stack, alongside Lim’s producing partner at 100 Tigers. Flora Greeson has taken on the responsibility of penning the script, picking up the story after the events of the 2004 sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. While plot details are still under wraps, fans are speculating that Mia’s story will continue right where it left off, with Mia fully embracing her royal destiny.
The Princess Diaries franchise, based on the young adult novels by Meg Cabot, first captured hearts in 2001. The story follows Mia Thermopolis, a socially awkward teenager from San Francisco who learns she is the heir to the throne of the fictional kingdom of Genovia. With the help of her regal grandmother, Queen Clarisse, played by the legendary Julie Andrews, Mia navigates the pressures of royal life while staying true to herself.
While there is no confirmation yet about whether Andrews will return as the iconic Queen Clarisse, fans are hopeful for a reunion between the cherished on-screen grandmother-granddaughter duo. Julie Andrews has previously expressed her love for the franchise and has hinted that if the stars aligned, she would be open to reprising her role.
The third installment of The Princess Diaries has been long-awaited, with rumors circulating as early as 2022. Hathaway herself teased the possibility of a third film in an interview last year, saying, “We’re in a good place. There’s nothing to announce yet. But we’re in a good place.” Now that the film is officially moving forward, it’s only a matter of time before fans get to experience the next chapter of Mia’s royal journey. As Hathaway and Lim join forces, there’s no doubt that The Princess Diaries 3 will capture the same charm and magic that made the original films so beloved.
