Miracles happen once in a while, which is apparent because The Princess Diaries 3 is in the works at Disney, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It's been 20 years since we last saw Mia, Lily, and Queen Clarisse (and since all three took part in one of the greatest birthday party scenes in film history. Tons of snacks! Karaoke! Mattress surfing!).
The Princess Diaries and The Princess Diaries 2 remain heartfelt, uplifting, and empowering, and we'll never get tired of them. Plus, the resurgence of Y2K pop culture just makes dressing up like Mia more fun than it already was. While much of this reported film (including the cast) is still rumor-only, we do have a few tidbits to share and will keep updating as news is released.
When is the Princess Diaries 3 release date?
Walt Disney Studios
Rom-com fans will be thrilled to know Adele Lim, who worked on Crazy Rich Asians (one of the best rom-coms of the 21st Century) will direct. We don't have a release date yet, but it appears pre-production has begun. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Supergirl and Quantum Leap writer Aadrita Mukerji is working on the script, and producer Debra Martin Chase (who worked on the first two films) is returning to produce. We're all in favor of women behind the scenes, so this news gets two thumbs up from us!
Anne Hathaway (whose new movie The Idea Of You is streaming on Prime Video now) recently revealed the movie's development is going very well. “We’re in a good place,” she tells V Magazine. “That’s all I can say. There’s nothing to announce yet. But we’re in a good place.”
What has Anne Hathaway said about Julie Andrews?
Buena Vista Pictures/Walt Disney Studios
In her recent cover story with Vanity Fair, Anne Hathaway talks about how working with Julie Andrews changed her life forever. “She respected that [fans] had a relationship to her work that spanned their entire lives and made it a beautiful experience for them,” she says of Julie stopping to sign autographs every day during The Princess Diaries. “I don’t know that I was always capable of that. So I’ve learned that I want to handle myself in a way that I’m going to be proud of at a later date.”
Anne also has a major appreciation for howThe Princess Diaries franchise as a whole turned her life upside down. "This was the film that changed my life," she says. "It felt so big at the time, and it wound up being so big, and it's kind of just gotten bigger as my life has progressed...So this is a total fusion of life and work, and all the things, and I'm just so proud to be in this movie."
What is The Princess Diaries 3 about?
Buena Vista Pictures/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
We don't have an official script, but according to sources, the film might continue the storyline from the previous two movies. Based on the books by Meg Cabot, both films follow Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway), an awkward high schooler who learns she is next in line to be queen of Genovia. Makeovers, royal balls, romance, and tons of fun follow.
Gary Marshall, the director of the first two movies who passed away in 2016, told People that one idea he shared with Anne Hathaway was to set The Princess Diaries 3 in the big city: "It looks like we want to do Princess Diaries 3 in Manhattan." As someone who lives in New York City, I might be biased, but setting the story in Manhattan would be INCREDIBLE. Would Mia hang out at the Met? Would the movie feature any nods to The Devil Wears Prada? Anne Hathaway, if you need another background extra, hit me up!
Who's in The Princess Diaries 3 cast?
Buena Vista Pictures/Walt Disney Studios
It has not been confirmed whether Hathaway will be returning if the film goes into production, but based on the fact that she has publicly supported a third installment multiple times, we're hoping that she'd star again! Julie Andrews, Chris Pine, and Raven-Symoné have also been a part of the franchise, but there's no word on whether they'd return either.
In December of 2022, Variety reported that Julie Andrews doubts that she'll be able to return to the franchise, but we're still holding out hope!
Where can you watch The Princess Diaries 3?
Buena Vista Pictures/Walt Disney Studios
It's TBD whether this film would release in theaters or on streaming, but you can watch both The Princess Diariesand The Princess Diaries 2on Disney+ now ;).
What's the Princess Diaries cast saying?
Buena Vista Pictures/Walt Disney Studios
Don't fret, Princess Diaries fans, Chris Pine is TOTALLY on board for a Genovian reunion. "Yeah, I'm here! I'm here for it," Pine told Entertainment Tonight. "Give me a phone call or an email."
The actor (and our personal crush) played Lord Nicholas Deveraux in 2004's The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. Deveraux rivaled Anne Hathaway's Princess Mia Thermopolis for the throne, becoming her friend and love interest.
Recently, Hathaway toldPeople that the a third installment in the franchise was still in development and far from production, but it was "thrilling" to "see the level of excitement for it." However, while the movie industry gears turn slowly, she is still very much advocating for the long-awaited three-quel.
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This story was originally published on December 14, 2022 and has been updated with new reporting.
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