Disney is returning to Genovia for a third “Princess Diaries” movie.
It’s not clear whether Anne Hathaway will reprise her role as the down-to-earth royal Mia Thermopolis in the new installment, which is being written by Aadrita Mukerji (“Reacher,” “Supergirl”). However, Hathaway recently expressed her interest in returning — with her on-screen grandmother Julie Andrews, who played the posh Queen Clarisse Renaldi — to the franchise that turned her into a star.
“I would more than entertain it, I’m pulling for it,” Hathaway told Entertainment Tonight. “If there’s any way to get Julie Andrews involved, I think we would make it work.”
Andrews’ involvement in “The Princess Diaries 3” is similarly ambiguous. Plot details haven’t been confirmed, but the threequel is expected to continue the story in “The Princess Diaries” and the sequel “Royal Engagement” rather than rebooting the series.
Directed by the late Garry Marshall and based on the novel by Meg Cabot, 2001’s “The Princess Diaries” follows an awkward American teenager who learns she’s the heir to the throne of the European kingdom of Genovia. Mandy Moore as mean girl cheerleader Lana Thomas and Sandra Oh as vice principal Gupta, also had memorable roles in the original film. Despite mixed reviews, the family film became a box office hit with $165 million in global ticket sales. The follow-up film, which was also directed by Marshall and introduced the world to Chris Pine, was equally successful in theaters with $134 million worldwide.
Given the enduring popularity of “The Princess Diaries,” rumors have long been circulating about a third installment. But this is Disney’s biggest attempt yet to transport audiences back to the royal world of Genovia. As Mia Thermopolis would say, “miracles happen once in a while, when you believe.”
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news about “The Princess Diaries 3.”