Princess Diaries 3: Everything Confirmed So Far

After Anne Hathaway’s October 4, 2024 Instagram post confirmed The Princess Diaries 3 is real, fans have been waiting for the next big update. Here’s what’s been said—about the film’s status at Disney, who’s attached, what’s still unclear, and why Julie Andrew

Anne Hathaway didn’t tease “maybe.” On October 4, 2024, she posted a clear message from Genovia—one that instantly lit up fans who have begged for a third entry in The Princess Diaries since the second film ended in 2004.

“Miracles happen. Back to Genovia with @adeleblim @disney @somewherepictures. The fairy tale continues,” the actress captioned her Instagram post, after Variety confirmed the movie was in motion.

That simple caption has since become the loudest signal yet that The Princess Diaries 3 isn’t just fan hope—it’s something Hollywood is actively bringing back.

The first Princess Diaries movie landed in 2001 and became a hit with millennials and Gen-Z viewers alike. Based on Meg Cabot’s best-selling books. it introduced Mia Thermopolis. an ordinary girl who discovers she’s the princess of Genovia. The film also launched Anne Hathaway into stardom and paired her with Julie Andrews as Queen Clarissa Renaldi.

Then came The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement in 2004. Fans have wanted a follow-up ever since.

Talk of The Princess Diaries 3 started long before Hathaway’s Instagram post. In March 2016, director Garry Marshall said, “I was with Anne Hathaway a couple weeks ago. It looks like we want to do The Princess Diaries 3 in Manhattan.” Marshall later died in July 2016 due to complications of pneumonia after suffering a stroke.

There was also talk of a script. On Watch What Happens Live in 2019, Anne Hathaway said, “There is a script for the third movie… There is a script,” while keeping plot details under wraps.

The story from The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement ends with Mia becoming Queen of Genovia and getting her foot-popping happily ever after with Nicholas. A third movie could draw from elements of Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries book series and may introduce Mia’s half-sister Olivia Grace.

On November 16, 2022, The Hollywood Reporter said a third movie was finally in the works at Disney. The film would be written by Aadrita Mukerji (Reacher, Supergirl). But the report also made clear that it wasn’t known whether Anne Hathaway would reprise her role as Mia Thermopolis—or whether Julie Andrews would return as Queen Clarissa Renaldi.

That uncertainty is still part of the suspense, even with Hathaway’s October 2024 confirmation.

As of now, there’s no official release date. The third film will be directed by Adele Lim. Lim told Variety. “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.” She added. “We look forward to celebrating its core tenants of female power. joy and mentorship with audiences worldwide.”.

For cast news, the frustrating answer is that the full list hasn’t been released. Still, multiple members of the original films have said they want in.

In 2019, Anne Hathaway said on Watch What Happens Live, “I want to do it. Julie [Andrews] wants to do it. Debra Martin Chase, our producer, wants to do it. We all really want it to happen.” She added they won’t move forward unless it feels right: “It’s just we don’t want to unless it’s perfect. because we love it just as much as you guys love it. It’s as important to us as it is to you. and we don’t want to deliver anything until it’s ready. but we’re working on it. so…”.

Julie Andrews has been similarly cautious. In 2020. she told The Talk. “I heard that there might be one. ” adding. “It’s long been talked about but nothing sort of been on my desk or anything like that. I think I would [do it]. I’m getting awfully old and crotchety. I’m not sure if it’s the right timing. but I think to work with Annie [Anne Hathaway] would be lovely again. and sure I’d be up for it.” She also said she’d want to wait: “I think we should wait for—if a script comes in. let’s wait for that.”.

Julie Andrews reminded everyone that Garry Marshall—the director who helped shape the first two films—was gone. “Of course, we wouldn’t have the wonderful Garry Marshall who was the director. He’s passed. And he was really the nuts and bolts of it all.”

In June 2022. after receiving the AFI Life Achievement Award. Julie was asked again about returning. this time at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. She told Entertainment Tonight. “I don’t know. I think I’m the one — she’s probably still okay for it. but I might just be a little too old a granny for it. I don’t know. ” then added. “It depends what the story is. and if they can come up with something. that would be wonderful. ” before concluding. “But if not. there will be other things.”.

Chris Pine, who joined The Princess Diaries universe as Nicholas in the sequel, told Extra in May 2022 that he would return under certain conditions. “I’ll be there… if it’s in L.A. It’s my hometown. I have a lot of pride.”

Mandy Moore. who played mean girl Lana in the first movie. has also said she’s open to revisiting the character. In 2017. she told Elle.com. “If I’m going to be involved. I would be down for a cameo—maybe she could make amends with Mia and apologize for being a bully when she was younger.” She explained Lana’s backstory. adding. “She was insecure. going through a difficult time in her life and [has now] reflected on why that wasn’t okay.”.

In 2019, Mandy revealed to People Now that she wanted to see Lana “down a few pegs because she was the bully in school [if she comes back]. I’d like to see her is life has come full circle and maybe she’s a little more, well, humble. I would be down!”

During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show in August 2022. Mandy said she’d “be game” to return for Princess Diaries 3. but clarified. “I’ve heard nothing” beyond rumors. She also pointed out the character’s challenge: “My character was the nemesis to Anne Hathaway’s character in the first film. She was so mean. I feel like maybe there’s no place for her.” Still. she left room for a turnaround: “Although. the other angle is maybe she’s done a 180 and has turned her life around and she and Mia become really good friends.”.

Heather Matarazzo, who played Mia’s best friend Lily, said in a 2016 interview for the original movie’s 15th anniversary, “If Annie and Julie are down, of course,” she told Cosmopolitan.

Raven-Symone has been vocal, too. On Buzzfeed, she said, “Do I get to sing with Julie Andrews again?! Yeah I’m going back on Princess Diaries 3!” and added, “If I get to sing with Julie Andrews again that would be awesome! I mean I’m a Mary Poppins fan, so, that’s just heaven for me.”

Meg Cabot. whose books inspired the franchise. has also weighed in with the kind of guarded honesty that keeps fans guessing. In 2017. she told EW there was interest in The Princess Diaries 3 as a “tribute” to the late Garry Marshall. and she said she didn’t know anything more than that a script was out there. “So, who knows?. [It] could happen, as we say,” Meg said.

She also said she was “not allowed” to say what a third Princess Diaries film would be about. “I would love to sit and talk about [it], but I can’t. I’m not allowed,” she noted. She explained the focus. saying it would be “more following the movie than the books. ” and shared that the version she read didn’t include Mia discovering she has a biracial younger sister. “I personally would’ve thought was hilarious, but that was not the direction they were going.”.

The pieces fit together in a way that feels familiar to anyone who’s followed this franchise’s long road: the early promise from Garry Marshall. the script that Anne Hathaway acknowledged. the 2022 Disney development with Aadrita Mukerji attached. and then the sudden certainty that landed on October 4. 2024 through Hathaway’s own Instagram—while many cast and creative details still sit in limbo. waiting on the next official update.

Right now, what’s clear is that The Princess Diaries 3 has entered the real-world phase of development, with Disney involved and Adele Lim directing. What’s still up in the air is the exact shape of the story and which original roles will be locked in for the next chapter.

Fans may not have a release date yet, but they do have something they haven’t had in years: a direct, on-the-record signal that Genovia is coming back.

The Princess Diaries 3 Anne Hathaway Julie Andrews Adele Lim Genovia Disney Princess Diaries 2 Nicholas Lana Raven-Symone Meg Cabot Aadrita Mukerji