The Crown Princess of Genovia is coming back again? “Shut up, shut up!”
But yes, it’s true. Possibly, maybe.
Released in 2001, “The Princess Diaries” was directed by veteran helmer Garry Marshall and produced by the late Whitney Houston. Adapted from Meg Cabot’s 2000 novel of the same name, the film helped skyrocket Anne Hathaway (who played Mia Thermopolis) to the forefront.
The film opened third that year, raking in more than $165 million worldwide. The teen romantic comedy was a commercial success and cultural hit, leading to the 2004 sequel “The Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement”, which was the feature debut of a young Chris Pine and was scripted by renowned TV showrunner Shonda Rhimes.
For years, rumors have circled about Disney’s plans to release a third chapter, but Anne Hathaway has refuted her involvement with a new sequel on multiple occasions. In fact, when Access Hollywood asked Oscar winner co-star Julie Andrews about the possibility of a 3rd “Princess Diaries” back in 2012, the actress said:
I would never say no because Disney’s so wonderfully clever and inventive but I would think they’ll stay with just the two because of Annie.
The plot of “Princess Diaries 3” is being kept tight under lock and key, so there’s no word on whether the upcoming film will see the return of Anne Hathaway.
Heck, there might even be an intention to launch a reboot of the franchise altogether.
As The Dissolve points out, there’s a lot of room for possibilities for a whole new era of Mia Thermopolis-like stories since Meg Cabot’s “The Princess Diaries” book series has lots of material to borrow from. The 2001 Disney movie was based on Meg Cabot’s 2000 novel of the same name, but there are 9 other volumes of the young adult series, as well as multiple half volumes. The author also just released the first adult installment of her series, “The Princess Diaries, Volume XI: Royal Wedding”.
As of now, what we do know (thanks to The Tracking Board) is that Debra Chase of Martin Chase Productions is returning to produce the newest outing, after serving as a producer on the previous “The Princess Diaries” films. Chase has had success with other fare in the genre, subsequently producing the hit “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” series.
Disney and reps for Hathaway and Andrews were not immediately available for comment.
Would you watch a “Princess Diaries 3” sequel? Wouldn’t you like amazing duo Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews to return? Let us know what you think in the comments box below!
Source: The Tracking Board, The Dissolve, HuffPost Ent.
