It’s official—The Princess Diaries is coming back for a third instalment, and fans everywhere are holding their tiaras tight. In October 2024, Anne Hathaway herself confirmed that production for The Princess Diaries 3 is well underway, and we couldn’t be more excited to return to Genovia!
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Nearly 25 years after the original film won over hearts, the franchise is being revived, with filming set to kick off in 2025. The first two films, released in 2001 and 2004, followed Mia Thermopolis (played by Hathaway) as she went from awkward teen to princess, and later, queen of Genovia, under the guidance of her royal grandmother, played by none other than Julie Andrews.
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While Hathaway is the only officially confirmed cast member so far, other stars from the previous films have hinted at their eagerness to return. Let’s dive into everything we know so far!
How did the Princess Diaries 2 end?
In case you need a refresher (although, let’s be honest, who could forget?), The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement saw Mia preparing to take the throne, only to discover that she needed to get married within 30 days to become queen.
Enter Nicholas Devereaux (played by a charming Chris Pine), her would-be suitor whose uncle has his ambitions for the crown. Despite this, Nicholas falls in love with Mia and gives up his claim, while Mia makes a heartfelt plea to parliament, convincing them to let her rule without a husband. The film ends with Mia being crowned as the rightful queen of Genovia.
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What has Anne Hathaway said about The Princess Diaries 3?
Hathaway has been teasing fans with her excitement for a third movie for years. In an April 2024 interview with Vanity Fair, she called The Princess Diaries “the film that changed my life” and admitted she was thrilled at the idea of revisiting her role as Mia.
More recently, Hathaway confirmed the news with an Instagram post featuring a cheeky nod to the franchise: “Miracles happen ✨👑 Back to Genovia… The fairy tale continues ❤️🔥.”
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Will Julie Andrews reprise her role as Queen Clarisse?
The big question on everyone’s mind—will Julie Andrews be back as Queen Clarisse?
Andrews has expressed mixed feelings about returning. In a 2024 interview, she mentioned that while she’d be happy to work with Hathaway again, she’s also wary of overstaying the franchise’s welcome. “It’s been a long time since the last film, and sometimes it’s best to leave a good thing alone,” she shared. However, she added, “I’d be very happy if we did do another one.” Fingers crossed we see the regal Queen Clarisse once again!
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What about Chris Pine and other cast members?
Chris Pine, who played Mia’s love interest Nicholas in the second film, has hinted at wanting to return to the franchise. In a May 2024 interview, Pine playfully said, “Princess Diaries 3, where is it? Have you been reading my diary?” Fans are hopeful that he will reprise his role, but as of now, no official announcement has been made.
Other cast members, like Sandra Oh and Mandy Moore, have also expressed interest in returning, with Moore acknowledging that her character, Lana, may have been too much of a villain to make a comeback. But, hey, who doesn’t love a redemption arc?
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Who’s behind the scenes?
Adele Lim, best known for her work on Crazy Rich Asians and Joy Ride, has been tapped to direct the third film. Lim is a self-proclaimed diehard fan of the original movies and has said she’s thrilled to bring The Princess Diaries back to life. She promises to keep the franchise’s core themes of female empowerment, joy, and mentorship at the forefront.
While plot details remain under wraps, the revival of this beloved franchise, nearly two decades after its last instalment, already has fans buzzing with anticipation.
So, while we wait for 2025 to arrive and Genovia’s gates to open once again, one thing’s for sure: the fairy tale is far from over.
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Featured Image: IMDB
