“The Princess Diaries 3” could finally be closer to reality. More than two decades after audiences first saw Mia Thermopolis transform from awkward teenager to royal icon, producer Debra Martin Chase says the long-awaited third installment is actively moving forward.
‘The Princess Diaries 3’ Reportedly Moving Forward
Chase, who produced the first two “Princess Diaries” films, recently shared an encouraging update while attending the Black Women on Broadway Awards in New York.
Speaking to PEOPLE, the longtime producer said momentum for the highly anticipated sequel is building. “We’re more than hopeful,” Chase said. “We’re moving in that direction. We’ve done a lot of groundwork.”
The producer added that the team had initially hoped cameras would start rolling this year. “We had hoped to tour this year. So, it’s happening. We intend to make it happen. And we’re thrilled that people are excited,” she said. “Every time something happens and we understand the problem, we’re like, ‘Yeah, okay, keep going!’ » »
Anne Hathaway set to return as Mia Thermopolis
Although plot details remain closely under wraps, Anne Hathaway is set to reprise her beloved role of Mia Thermopolis. Fans last saw the character in 2004’s “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement,” where Mia officially took on her role as Queen of Genovia.
The third installment has been officially confirmed in 2024, sending longtime fans of the Disney franchise into celebration mode.
Earlier this year, Kathleen Marshall, daughter of the late “Princess Diaries” director Garry Marshall, also hinted that the project was making real progress. While attending the opening night of Beaches on Broadway in April, Kathleen shared an optimistic update about the film’s future.
“We’re working on ‘Princess Diaries 3,'” she said, adding that she’s “excited to be a part of everything” related to the franchise. “It works,” Kathleen added, noting that they hope the film will be “the next thing” for Hathaway.
“We’re getting things done,” she continued. “I mean, there’s just an incredible team in place. So it happens. It happens.”
Anne Hathaway previously admitted she wanted to come back
Long before Disney officially announced the sequel, Hathaway made it clear that she couldn’t wait to return to Genovia. Speaking to Vanity Fair in April 2024, the Oscar winner described “The Princess Diaries” as “the movie that changed my life.”
“It’s so weird watching it, I haven’t seen this movie in maybe 20 years, and I’m kind of speechless with this one,” she continued. “It’s actually very moving to see it.”
She also opened up about the wait for fans during an interview with PEOPLE in 2023, admitting that the long wait for a third film could understandably be frustrating. Still, Hathaway reminded fans that developing a film takes time. “It’s a process that takes patience…that’s how long it actually takes to get things done,” she said.
Anne Hathaway once reflected on Julie Andrews’ lasting influence
Also during her April 2024 Vanity Fair cover story, the actress returned to the set of 2001’s “The Princess Diaries,” where she starred alongside Julie Andrewswho famously played the role of Queen Clarisse Renaldi. “I learned that I want to behave in a way that I will be proud of later,” Hathaway said when recalling Andrews’ kindness on set.
According to Hathaway, Andrews made a point of staying after filming each day to sign autographs for fans, which left a lasting impression on the actress. “She respected the fact that they had a relationship with her work that lasted a lifetime and made it a beautiful experience for them,” Hathaway said of the Oscar-winning “Mary Poppins” star.
While fans eagerly await her return to Genovia, Hathaway has remained reserved and busy in Hollywood. Most recently, the Oscar winner returned to another fan-favorite franchise, reprising her role as Andy Sachs in “The Devil Wears Prada 2.” The highly anticipated sequel brought Hathaway back alongside the original stars Meryl Streep, Emilie BluntAnd Stanley Tuccimore than 20 years after the beloved 2006 film first hit theaters.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” proved to be a major box office success, grossing an impressive $675.9 million worldwide against its $100 million production budget. Of that total, approximately $217 million came from domestic ticket sales in North America, while international markets contributed another $458.6 million.