A-list star Anne Hathaway got her start appearing as the socially awkward princess of the fictional Genovia, Mia Thermopolis, in 2001, and she will continue her tale with The Princess Diaries 3 . The country of Genovia and its rulers — original queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews), princess Mia (Hathaway), and Nicholas Deveraux (Chris Pine) haven't graced the screen since the 2004 sequel, The Princess Diaries 2, which saw Mia transition from Princess to Queen and change many of Genovia's sexist policies.

Now, over 20 years later, the story of Mia Thermopolis and her reign over Genovia will be continued on the big screen, and The Princess Diaries 3 is beginning to take shape. While the first film concerned Mia as a bumbling teenager finding out that she's actually a princess, and the second movie centered on Mia as queen, the third film will presumably be set far along into Mia's rule and could possibly even be a legacy sequel. Though The Princess Diaries 3 is currently only in its earliest development stages, franchise star Anne Hathaway has already signed on.

The Princess Diaries 3 Latest News

A Director Is Hired & Anne Hathaway Signs On

Little else is known about the project at this juncture, but Hathaway's involvement suggests the film will be moving along swiftly.

In the first major sign that the long-awaited threequel is finally moving forward, the latest news confirms that The Princess Diaries 3 has hired a director. The Disney sequel has tapped Crazy Rich Asians co-writer Adele Lim to helm the sequel, and she previously collaborated with the studio when writing Raya and the Last Dragon. Lim responded to the hiring saying she's a "diehard fan of the original Princess Diaries," and that she looks "forward to celebrating its core tenants of female power, joy and mentorship."

2023's Joy Ride was Lim's feature film directorial debut.

The same day that Lim was hired, it was also announced that Anne Hathaway is officially returning for The Princess Diaries 3. Though many details about the sequel were uncertain, Hathaway took to her Instagram page to not only celebrate Lim's hiring, but to also announce that she'd be reprising her role as Mia. Little else is known about the project at this juncture, but Hathaway's involvement suggests the film will be moving along swiftly.

The Princess Diaries 3 Is Confirmed

The Project Was First Announced In 2022

Disney announced that The Princess Diaries 3 was confirmed back in November 2022, and updates surrounding the production have been trickling out ever since. So far, Aadrita Mukerji (Supergirl) was hired to pen the screenplay, and the original Princess Diaries producer Debra Martin (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) was also announced. In addition, Melissa Stack (The Other Woman) was executive producing The Princess Diaries 3. Finally, Joy Ride's director Adele Lim was hired to helm the project in October 2024.

See how well the franchise has performed below:

The Princess Diaries 3 Cast

Anne Hathaway Is Returning

Though The Princess Diaries 3 cast remains largely unformed thus far, perhaps the largest return of all has already been confirmed. In October 2024 it was announced that Anne Hathaway will be reprising her role as Mia in the sequel. The prolific Julie Andrews' reprisal of Clarisse Renaldi is somewhat uncertain, and in an interview with Access Hollywood, Andrews stated that she probably wouldn't be able to do the film:

I think we know that it’s probably not going to be possible. It was talked about very shortly after two [The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement] came out, but it’s now how many years since then? And I am that much older and Annie the princess, or queen, is so much older. And I am not sure where it would float or run. In of us doing it, I doubt that now.

Chris Pine, who played Mia's second love interest, Lord Nicholas Deveraux, has spoken to ET about returning, saying, "Yeah, I'm here! I'm here for it. Give me a phone call or an email." Actor Hector Elizondo, who plays Mia's confidante and Clarisse's bodyguard-turned-husband Joe in the franchise, has also expressed interest in coming back (via EW). According to Elle back in 2019, Heather Matarazzo (Lilly) itted to being on board for The Princess Diaries 3, as well as Mandy Moore (Lana).

The Princess Diaries 3 Story Details

Will The Threequel Follow The Books?

This would open up the potential for a legacy sequel, seeing Mia's kids as they struggle to become fully-fledged royals just as their mother did.

There has been little The Princess Diaries 3 news regarding a potential plot, but Disney has managed to reveal a few details. Reportedly, The Princess Diaries 3 story would continue Mia's tale as ruler of Genovia. The Princess Diaries franchise is based on a series of eponymous novels by Meg Cabot. While the first film followed the novel somewhat accurately, the second movie diverged significantly from its source material. Therefore, it's difficult to pinpoint a specific plot from the book series that The Princess Diaries 3 could cover in full.

Since it has been two decades since The Princess Diaries 2, it's highly likely that The Princess Diaries 3 story will delve into Mia's family life. The plot could borrow from the books by giving Mia twins and exploring her role as a royal and mother. This would open up the potential for a legacy sequel, seeing Mia's kids as they struggle to become fully-fledged royals just as their mother did. The Princess Diaries 3 could also choose to see Mia childless, as his her right. Regardless, the focus will be on the relatable Mia Thermopolis as The Princess Diaries 3 brings an entirely new story to the screen.