The Princess Diaries 3 Undergoes Major Script Overhaul as Anne Hathaway Confirms Creative Reset

More than twenty years after Anne Hathaway was crowned queen of Genovia, fans have been eagerly awaiting the long-promised return of Mia Thermopolis. While Disney officially confirmed that The Princess Diaries 3 is in development, concrete updates have been scarce. Hathaway has now shed light on why the project has moved more slowly than hoped, and the explanation points to a significant creative reset.

During an appearance on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy, Hathaway revealed that the sequel has gone back to the drawing board. The team has discovered a new direction for the story, which meant abandoning the previous script and starting fresh. In the meantime, Hathaway is also expecting her third child, which has further shaped the timeline.

“I’m busy making baby number three, and that has sort of taken the place of knowing when exactly I can make Princess Diaries 3. I can say I think we had a story breakthrough. I think we are moving in the right direction. The script that we were working on — we kind of had to start over with this new direction, which is not the update I think anybody wants, but we all feel really good that this is gonna be the one.”

‘The Princess Diaries 3’ Is Still Moving Forward

While scrapping a screenplay is hardly the news fans were hoping for, it does signal that Disney is prioritizing quality over speed. Hathaway has previously described the creative team as “constantly working” on the project, and director Adele Lim has expressed strong enthusiasm about bringing Mia’s story back to the screen.

The original film premiered twenty years ago, introducing audiences to the awkward and endearing Mia, who discovers she is heir to the throne of Genovia. The 2004 sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, expanded the kingdom’s lore and helped launch Chris Pine‘s film career. Together, the two films earned more than $300 million worldwide and remain among Disney’s most cherished post-1990s titles.

Hathaway is confirmed to reprise her role, while Julie Andrews and Pine have both expressed interest in returning, though neither has officially signed on. No release date has been announced for The Princess Diaries 3 yet, but the creative reset suggests the team is determined to deliver a sequel worth the wait.

Release Date
August 3, 2001

Runtime
115 minutes

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