Anne Hathaway Announces “Big Breakthrough” on “The Princess Diaries 3”
The actress revealed in a radio interview that the long-awaited return of Mia Thermopolis is moving forward with a new approach, although there is still no release date.
The wait for the third installment of “The Princess Diaries” could be coming to an end, although not before having gone through a process of creative reinvention. The franchise's protagonist, Anne Hathaway, confirmed that the project is taking a "big leap" in its development after the decision to scrap the original script and start over with a completely different narrative direction.
During her recent appearance on SiriusXM's “Radio Andy,” Hathaway shared details about the current status of the film, which has been in production since 2022. The actress, who will reprise her iconic role as Mia Thermopolis, now the queen of Genovia, explained that this new direction injected renewed energy into the project.
“I'm busy with my third baby, and that has somewhat replaced worrying about when exactly I'll be able to do 'The Princess Diaries 3'”
However, he quickly reassured the saga's followers:
"I can say that I think we have taken a big leap in history. I think we are going in the right direction." Anne Hathaway
A non-linear process
The actress was clear in admitting that the process has not been linear. “The script we were working on… we had to start from scratch with this new direction, which is not the update that I think anyone wants, but we are all very sure that this will be the final one,” he added.
The third film in the saga has been taking shape with the incorporation of director Adele Lim, known for her work on “Crazy Rich Asians”, who joined the project in 2024. Lim expressed on several occasions her respect for the legacy of the franchise and her commitment to quality.
“We just want to get the story right because it's a franchise that's very beloved by so many people,” Lim told Variety on the red carpet in May.
The director also announced that fans of the original films can expect "many fun returns" from other cast members, suggesting that the new installment will not only focus on Hathaway's character, but will also bring back beloved characters from the first films.
Despite the excitement, Lim clarified that the filming and production schedule is still being finalized and that, at this time, no official release date has been announced.