Miraculously, 20 years after “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” premiered, Disney ordered “The Princess Diaries 3.”
Anne Hathaway announced the project in early October and said she would return to Genoa.
I’m a big fan of the original 2001 film and its 2004 sequel, which launched Anne Hathaway’s acting career.
Normally, I’m not a fan of reboots and revivals that happen a few years later.
Still, the production has the potential to be fondly remembered by long-time fans and inspire a new generation to appreciate the talents of Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews.
The original film stars Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis, who learns that she is the heir apparent to the throne of Genovia. She learns how to be a princess, Queen Andrews Clarice learns how to be a loving grandmother and a regal queen.
The Princess Diaries follows Mia through her awkward teenage years with the help of her grandmother, her driver Joseph, and her friends Lily and Michael Moskowitz.
The sequel continues Mia’s journey from princess to queen under the guidance of her grandmother, while experiencing the drama of love and royal scandal.
Let’s discuss how the first few movies ended, what we know about Princess Diaries 3, and our ideal plot for the movie.
How does “Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” end?
“The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” is released five years after the original film.
Shortly after Mia arrives in Genoa to celebrate her 21st birthday, she learns that she must get married within a month or she will not be crowned Queen when Queen Clarisse abdicates the throne.
As the Queen and Mia try to find a suitable suitor for her, Mia falls in love with Nicholas Devereux (Chris Pine). But Nicholas’s swarming uncle plots to let him seize the crown, leaving Mia heartbroken.
Nicholas fell in love with Mia, who gave a speech to convince Parliament to allow her to govern as an unmarried woman until she was married.
Watch Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement online
What did Anne Hathaway tease about “The Princess Diaries 3”?
On October 5, 2024, Hathaway released the official announcement of the third “Princess Diaries” movie.
Hathaway will produce and star in “The Princess Diaries 3,” which will begin production next year.
She’s overwhelmed by fans’ excitement for the series. She knows waiting can be frustrating, but insists all interested parties want to wait until the perfect script is found.
Will Julie Andrews star in The Princess Diaries 3?
Julie Andrews had mixed reactions. She was enthusiastic not long after the first two movies came out, but now she’s worried that too much time has passed and they should just leave it alone.
However, in most interviews she insisted that she would love to work with Anne Hathaway again.
Hathaway is determined to bring Andrews back for a third film, and we love what she had to say to Entertainment Tonight in 2022.
“If there was a way to get Julie Andrews involved, I think we would make it work. We would go to where she is, put a green screen behind her and make it happen,” she shared.
This is the spirit she learned from Andrews.
Who is the director of “Princess Diaries 3”?
Disney Pictures has hired Adele Lim, who directed “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Raya and the Last Dragon,” to direct “Princess Diaries 3.”
Lin is excited to carry on Garry Marshall’s legacy with this franchise.
“As a huge fan of the original work princess diaryI couldn’t be more excited to be a part of bringing the third iteration of this beloved series to life. We look forward to celebrating its core elements of female power, joy and mentorship with audiences around the world,” said Lin.
Both actors who played Mia’s love interests are hoping to return
Robert Schwartzman (Michael Moskowitz) and Chris Pine (Nicholas Devereaux) are both hoping to return for the third film.
Schwartzman didn’t appear in the 2004 sequel because he was on tour with his band the Rooneys, and they wrote in the script that Michael was on tour with his band.
With the idea of a third “Princess Diaries” movie having been brewing for years, Schwartzman told Variety in 2022 that he would love to be involved.
“Of course, if the producers and the studio feel that the story will continue with the same actors,” Schwartzman said. “How cool is it to be a part of a film that was really influential and is still being shown around the world?”
Chris Pine is equally enthusiastic.
Earlier this year, he told Entertainment Tonight, “Yeah, I’m here! I’m here for this. Give me a call or send me an email.
What is “Princess Diaries 3” about?
Flora Greeson wrote the script for “Highlights” and also wrote the screenplay for the third film.
The plot of “Princess Diaries 3” has not yet been revealed, but Meg Cabot, author of the “Princess Diaries” novels, has confirmed that it will not be a prequel.
The author is keeping most of the trailer secret, saying there are many differences between the book and the movie, and both are great.
For those who don’t know, Princess Mia ended up with Michael in the books, and she dated Nicholas Devereaux in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, but the character is not in the books.
Both love interests have huge fan bases, so it will be interesting to see which one Mia ends up with.
Another tantalizing plot of “Princess Diaries 3”
Since Princess Diaries 3 premieres nearly 25 years after the original novel, Mia’s ideal scenario would be to marry and settle down with one of her loves. I support Michael.
Most viewers are not willing to see a middle-aged queen in a love triangle who is not yet married. So it would have been better to repeat the plot of the original film with Mia’s teenage daughter.
Hear me out. Netflix rebooted rom-com “She’s All That” with a sequel 20 years later and cast Rachael Leigh Cook’s daughter as a nerd in “He’s All That” This approach worked.
Mia teaches her teenage daughter the proper ways to be a royal princess, and there’s no reason why that shouldn’t work. Teenage Mia is both heartwarming and hilarious, so if they cast her right they could highlight similar sardonic moments.
Ideally, Julie Andrews and Hector Elizondo will also join the cast, as Queen Clarice and Joseph are important mentors and will guide her daughter.
While reboots and revivals have taken Hollywood by storm, this one can combine nostalgia with modern elements for fans old and new.
I can’t wait!
What about you, TV fanatic? Are you excited for another Princess Diaries movie? Who do you hope will return to “Princess Diaries 3”?
Let us know in the comments.
Watch Princess Diaries online
