‘Shut Up!’ Say what? Anne Hathaway is geared up to reprise her iconic role as Princess Mia in the much-awaited third instalment of The Princess Diaries film series. The beloved actress took to Instagram to announce the news once it was greenlit by Disney on Friday.
“Miracles happen Back to Genovia with @adeleblim @disney @somewherepictures. The fairy tale continues,” the 41-year-old actress wrote alongside a video with the iconic “Shut up” clips from the other Princess Diaries films, clubbed with a new one from herself. The video also carried a shot of a US media report about the news.
The Princess Diaries 3 will be directed by Adele Lim, known for her films like Joy Ride, Crazy Rich Asians and Raya and the Last Dragon. “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,” Lim said in a statement. “We look forward to celebrating its core tenants [sic] of female power, joy and mentorship with audiences worldwide,” she added.
The film is produced by Debra Martin Chase, who backed the original franchise. Hathaway, who will step into Mia’s shoes after 20 years, will also serve as a producer through her banner Somewhere Pictures. The Princess Diaries 3 will be executive produced by Naia Cucukov, Lim’s producing partner at 100 Tigers, alongside Melissa Stack.
Penned by Flora Greeson, the upcoming sequel is expected to pick up after the events of the second instalment Royal Engagement, which came out in 2004. Plot details haven’t yet been confirmed.
The Princess Diaries films, adapted from the young adult novels by Meg Cabot, follows Mia Thermopolis (Hathaway), an awkward teenager from San Francisco, who discovers that she’s the heir to the throne of the fictional kingdom of Genovia. Guided by her grandmother, Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews), Mia balances high school life and royal training before eventually embracing her role as a princess and leaving her city life behind.
The upcoming instalment has been in development since 2022. Hathaway shared an update about the highly-anticipated film last year in an interview when she said, “We’re in a good place. There’s nothing to announce yet. But we’re in a good place.”
