Anne Hathaway is set to return to the charming kingdom of Genovia, reprising her iconic role as Princess Mia Thermopolis in “The Princess Diaries 3.” The Academy Award-winning actress made the announcement through an engaging Instagram post that has thrilled fans of the beloved film franchise.
A Royal Announcement
In a heartfelt video shared on Friday, Hathaway confirmed her involvement in the much-anticipated prequel, declaring, “Miracles happen.”
The post included a screenshot of a news article that revealed the ongoing development of the film, a detail first reported by Variety.
As she counted down in the video, Hathaway delighted fans with nostalgic snippets from the original Princess Diaries, delivering her memorable line, “Shut up!”
Development of the Prequel
According to Variety, “The Princess Diaries 3” has been in development since 2022. The film will be directed by Adele Lim, known for her work on “Crazy Rich Asians.”
Hathaway’s return marks the third installment of a franchise that began with the first film in 2001, followed by the sequel, “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement,” released in 2004, as mentioned in the report by USA Today.
Adele Lim expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “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:, as per a report by USA Today.
She emphasized the film’s commitment to celebrating themes of female empowerment, joy, and mentorship for audiences around the world.
Hathaway’s Journey as Mia Thermopolis
Hathaway’s journey in the Princess Diaries series began when she was just 17 years old, landing her first substantial film role.
Reflecting on her experience, she shared with V Magazine in April that the development of “The Princess Diaries 3” was “in a good place.”
Although she noted that she couldn’t provide further details, her excitement for the project was palpable.
The actress recalled how her role in the franchise allowed her to navigate the world of filmmaking with confidence.
“I was so generously invited into that process by Garry Marshall; he valued my take on being a teenage girl and elevated me to such a valued status on set that it never occurred to me on other sets that I didn’t have that same autonomy,” she remarked.
The Future of the Franchise
While Hathaway’s return has been confirmed, there remains uncertainty regarding the involvement of Julie Andrews, who portrayed the beloved Queen Clarisse Renaldi, Princess Mia’s grandmother.
In December 2022, Andrews expressed doubts about her potential return, stating, “I think we know that it’s probably not going to be possible.” She acknowledged the time that has passed since the last film, noting the aging of both herself and Hathaway.
Andrews added, “In terms of us doing it, I very much doubt that now.” This uncertainty leaves fans wondering if the cherished dynamic between Mia and her grandmother will continue in the upcoming prequel.
