Anne Hathaway is gracing the royal halls of Genovia once again, stepping back into the iconic shoes of Princess Mia Thermopolis in the eagerly anticipated "The Princess Diaries 3." The Oscar-adorned actress, in a sparkling Instagram post on Friday, confirmed her triumphant return to the beloved cinematic saga, this time as the star of its captivating prequel.
"Miracles, indeed, do unfold," she captioned a video, featuring a gleaming screenshot of a news article announcing the film's triumphant resurgence, which had initially sparked whispers among the industry's grapevine, as reported by Variety. Hathaway, in a nostalgic countdown interspersed with glimpses from the original "Princess Diaries," even uttered her now-legendary line, "Shut up!" with a playful twinkle in her eye.
Variety, the harbinger of this joyful news, revealed that the film, which has been meticulously crafted since 2022, has entrusted Adele Lim, the pen behind the global sensation "Crazy Rich Asians," to helm the directorial reins, with Hathaway set to reign supreme as the leading lady. This upcoming prequel marks the grand entrance of the third chapter in the cherished series, following the 2001 classic "The Princess Diaries" and its 2004 sequel, "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement."
"As a fervent fan of the original masterpiece, my heart skips a beat at the prospect of bringing this cherished franchise's third iteration to vibrant life," Lim expressed in a statement to Variety, brimming with enthusiasm. "Together, we aspire to celebrate its timeless values—the empowerment of women, boundless joy, and the sacred bond of mentorship—across the globe, igniting the spirits of audiences everywhere."
Hathaway, now a graceful 41, embarked on her stardom journey as the enchanting Princess Mia when she was just a teenage dreamer of 17. In a heartfelt conversation with V Magazine back in April, she hinted at the film's promising progress, stating, "The development of 'Princess Diaries 3' is in a promising state; alas, that's all I can divulge at present. But know that we're well on our way." She reminisced fondly, "My very first substantial film role, the second film I ever graced, was 'The Princess Diaries.' Garry Marshall's gracious embrace into that world empowered me as a teenage girl, fostering an autonomy on set that I've carried with me ever since."
As for the enigmatic question of Julie Andrews' return as Queen Clarisse Renaldi, the regal grandmother of Princess Mia, whispers remain elusive. In a candid chat with Kit Hoover of Access Hollywood last December, Andrews shared her doubts, saying, "I fear it may not be feasible now. The talks surfaced shortly after the sequel, but how many years have passed since then? Both I and Annie, the princess-turned-queen, have aged significantly. I'm not sure where the story would find its footing now." She concluded with a touch of melancholy, "As for our involvement, I sincerely doubt it's within reach."
