Anne Hathaway has officially confirmed her return to Genovia! That’s right—Princess Mia Thermopolis is making her royal comeback in Princess Diaries 3.
On Friday (October 4), it was announced that Disney is moving forward with the highly anticipated third installment of The Princess Diaries franchise. The last time we saw Mia was in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, which hit screens back in 2004. Now, nearly two decades later, fans are about to be whisked back to the magical world of Genovia.
Excitingly, a director has been named. According to Deadline, Adele Lim, known for her work on Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon, will take the helm of the new movie. Lim is as excited as fans to bring the story to life, saying, “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. We look forward to celebrating its core tenants of female power, joy, and mentorship with audiences worldwide.”
But there had been some mystery around whether Anne Hathaway and her iconic co-star, Julie Andrews, would return. Fans have been eagerly awaiting official word on whether the beloved cast would reunite to continue the tale.
Well, the wait is over! Anne Hathaway made it crystal clear that she’s back as Princess Mia. Taking to Instagram, she shared her excitement by posting a throwback clip of Mia Thermopolis finding out that she’s royalty in the first film. In the clip, Mia reacts by exclaiming “Shut up,” a line that Hathaway playfully repeats while holding up three fingers, signifying the third movie. She captioned the post with, “Miracles happen ✨👑 Back to Genovia with @adeleblim @disney @somewherepictures. The fairy tale continues ❤️🔥.”
Her announcement instantly sent fans into a frenzy,. Hathaway’s playful and nostalgic nod to the original film was a heartwarming moment for long-time fans of the franchise.
While Anne Hathaway is confirmed, Julie Andrews, who played Mia’s charming and regal grandmother Queen Clarisse Renaldi, has yet to officially announce if she’ll be joining the cast for the third movie. Earlier this year, Andrews did address the status of Princess Diaries 3 in an interview but stopped short of confirming her return. Fans are still holding onto hope that the actress will reprise her role and bring back the delightful dynamic between Mia and Clarisse.
The franchise, based on the best-selling books by Meg Cabot, has held a special place in the hearts of many since the first film was released in 2001. The movies have become classics, thanks to their endearing characters, witty humor, and heartfelt messages about self-discovery and empowerment.
As we eagerly await more details, one thing’s for sure: Princess Diaries 3 is shaping up to be a major highlight for fans everywhere. Keep an eye out for updates on casting and the storyline as the return to Genovia gets closer!
