The highly anticipated third installment of The Princess Diaries is officially in the works, following the recent revival of interest in early-2000s classics with sequels for Freaky Friday and The Devil Wears Prada. The new film, marking over two decades since The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement in 2004, has found its director in Adele Lim. Lim is known for her work on Disney’s animated feature Raya and the Last Dragon and the hit film Crazy Rich Asians, and she made her directorial debut with the comedy Joy Ride.
Expressing her excitement, Lim said, “As a die-hard 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. We look forward to celebrating its core tenets of female power, joy, and mentorship with audiences worldwide.”
Anne Hathaway confirmed her return to the franchise via Instagram, posting a video referencing the earlier films with the caption, “Back to Genovia. The fairytale continues.”
The original films were based on Meg Cabot’s popular young adult novels and followed Hathaway’s character, Mia Thermopolis, who discovers her royal lineage as the heir to the fictional European nation of Genovia, led by her grandmother Queen Clarisse Renaldi, played by Julie Andrews.
With Lim at the helm, The Princess Diaries 3 moves closer to becoming a reality. There were reports in 2022 about the development of the film with screenwriter Aadrita Mukerji, known for her work on Supergirl and Quantum Leap. Debra Martin Chase, a producer of the first two films, is returning to executive-produce alongside Lim’s team, including Naia Cucukov and Melissa Stack.
Earlier this year, Hathaway confirmed the project when questioned about a potential sequel, stating simply, “Yep,” while opting not to divulge further details. Her affection for the franchise was evident in a conversation with Vanity Fair, where she shared that the film significantly impacted her life and reflected on how its popularity has only grown over the years.