Nearly three years after The Princess Diaries 3 was first confirmed as in development, producer Debra Martin Chase says the franchise is “moving in that direction,” after groundwork has already been laid. The third film is set to be directed by Adele Lim, with
A new update landed for fans waiting on The Princess Diaries 3, and it comes with the kind of optimism that keeps the whole project from fading into rumor.
Producer Debra Martin Chase, who has worked on the first two films and is producing the third, said she’s “more than hopeful” about where things stand. “We are moving in that direction. We’ve done a lot of groundwork,” she told People earlier this month.
Chase also described the plan as something the team still intends to make real. “We had hoped to be shooting this year. So, it’s coming. We’re intent upon making it happen. And we’re excited that the people are excited,” she added. “Every time something happens and we get the thing, it’s like, ‘Yay, okay, keep going!’”.
The momentum matters because The Princess Diaries 3 has been in development for years. The first confirmation that it was underway arrived in 2022.
Chase’s optimism is paired with one key creative detail already in place: Crazy Rich Asians’ Adele Lim has been tapped to direct.
The story being discussed around the third film has also leaned toward a specific source. Last summer. a casting notice seemed to confirm that Disney was looking to follow the plot of the 2015 Meg Cabot book “The Princess Diaries. Volume XI: Royal Wedding.” The notice said Disney was seeking a character named Olivia. with a 15-year-old actress of mixed race.
The description of Olivia is sharp and specific: “Smart, sarcastic, armored, and observant, Olivia Robinson wants to be left alone. After her mother passed away, she withdrew into herself, masking her sadness with caustic wit. But under her prickly exterior. Olivia’s natural warmth. compassion and courage to stand up to power is exactly what makes her a natural born leader The only thing standing in the way is herself.”.
Olivia is Mia Thermopolis’ half-sister, fathered by their dad Phillipe during a secret relationship. After Mia tracks Olivia down. Mia learns that Olivia’s mother has died and that Olivia is being raised by family members. but not treated well. Mia—pregnant with twins and planning for her royal wedding—brings Olivia back home with her and ends up in a custody battle for her.
Taken together, the picture Chase paints—work done, hope rising, and a production timeline the team still wants to push—lands right where fans are most focused: not just whether The Princess Diaries 3 exists on paper, but whether it’s finally moving toward the moment the cameras roll.
The Princess Diaries 3 Debra Martin Chase Adele Lim status update People in development 2022 Meg Cabot Royal Wedding Olivia Robinson Mia Thermopolis