Shut. Up.
Anne Hathaway confirmed on Friday that the long-awaited threequel to “The Princess Diaries” is in the works.
The 41-year-old posted a video of herself to Instagram holding up one finger as the clip cuts to her character Mia Thermopolis in the 2001 Disney classic saying her iconic line, “A princess? Shut Up!”
The Announcement
The clip then flashes back to Hathaway holding up two fingers before a scene of Julie Andrews from the 2004 sequel “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” comes on.
“Shut up!” the 89-year-old actress exclaims.
As for the third film? Well, Hathaway holds up three fingers as she smiles at the camera and says, “Shut Up!” while the hit song “Miracles Happen (When You Believe)” from the film starts playing.
The actress blows a kiss to the camera before a screenshot appears of an article that reads, “‘Princess Diaries 3’ In the Works at Disney with Director Adele Lim.”
“Miracles happen,” Hathaway captioned the post. “Back to Genovia with @adeleblim @disney @somewherepictures. The fairy tale continues.”
Fans flocked to the comments section to share their excitement, with one user writing, “THE QUEEN OF GENOVIA HAS CONFIRMED SHE WILL RETURN,” while a second person said, “i’m seated. quite frankly i’ve never been more sat!!!”
New Director, Same Magic
Earlier in the day, multiple outlets reported that Disney had hired Lim to direct the third film. The director’s long list of credits include the 2023 raunchy comedy “Joy Ride,” along with previously writing the screenplays for “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Raya and the Last Dragon.”
“As a die-hard 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. We look forward to celebrating its core tenants of female power, joy and mentorship with audiences worldwide,” she said in a statement shared by Variety.
She then took to Instagram to share the news with followers, writing, “SHUT UP!!! Here to celebrate the Queens and Princesses in all of us. Over the moon to be back in the Disney family, working with the legendary @debramchase , and my partner @chroniclesofnarna #princessdiaries @disney @100tigersproductions.”
A Long-Awaited Return
Hathaway and Andrews starred in 2001’s “The Princess Diaries” and its 2004 sequel, “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.” The late Garry Marshall, who died in 2016, directed both films.
In April, the Oscar winner told V Magazine that “we’re in a good place,” in terms of development on a third installment.
Hathaway teased at the time, “That’s all I can say. There’s nothing to announce yet. But we’re in a good place.”
From Genovia to the Big Screen
The film franchise, based on Meg Cabot’s book series of the same name, tells the story of Mia Thermopolis (Hathaway), an American teenager who discovers she is the heir apparent to the throne of Genovia. Throughout the films, Mia learns about her royal heritage, navigating the challenges of being a princess and eventually becoming the queen of Genovia.
The original film became a massive success, launching Hathaway’s career and solidifying its place as a beloved classic for many. The sequel, which followed Mia as she prepares to take the throne, continued to entertain audiences and further solidified the franchise’s place in pop culture.
Looking Ahead
The confirmation of “Princess Diaries 3” marks a return to a beloved classic, with both Hathaway and Andrews reprising their iconic roles. The new director, Adele Lim, brings a fresh perspective to the franchise, promising to bring a modern twist to the beloved story.
With production set to begin in 2025, fans can expect more updates and details about the project in the coming months.
The third installment of “The Princess Diaries” promises to be a nostalgic journey back to Genovia, while also celebrating female power and mentorship. It’s safe to say that fans are eagerly awaiting the return of the Princess Diaries world and the continuation of the magical journey of Mia Thermopolis.
