It looks like fans of The Princess Diaries will have to wait a little longer to find out if Chris Pine will return to the Genovian royal family in its forthcoming third instalment.
In a recent interview on Today with Hoda & Jenna, Chris Pine, who portrayed the charming Nicholas Deveraux in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, was asked if he would be part of the upcoming third instalment. His response? A shrug and a laugh, that left fans guessing. “I don’t know anything,” Pine admitted. When pushed for more, he playfully encouraged fans to take matters into their own hands, saying, “Call Disney! Call Bob Iger!” to get answers.
The uncertainty hasn’t stopped fans from expressing their desire for his return. Pine’s easygoing charm as Nicholas was a pivotal part of The Princess Diaries 2, and fans are rallying on social media to see him back alongside Anne Hathaway’s Mia Thermopolis. However, Pine didn’t reveal much else, leaving the internet buzzing with speculation. Even Today hosts Hoda and Jenna joined in, insisting that Pine was an essential part of the royal family—something fans seem to agree with wholeheartedly.
What We Do Know: Anne Hathaway and Disney Are On Board
While Pine’s involvement remains a question mark, what’s crystal clear is that The Princess Diaries 3 is moving forward. Disney confirmed that the film is officially in development, with none other than Anne Hathaway herself reprising her iconic role as Mia Thermopolis, the awkward teen-turned-queen of the fictional kingdom of Genovia. But she’s not just starring this time—Hathaway is also producing the film under her production banner, Somewhere Pictures.
Hathaway’s return was confirmed in a playful post where she shared Variety’s announcement, captioned with one of Mia Thermopolis’ most memorable quotes: “Shut up!” Disney has also confirmed that the third film will continue the storyline where it left off, rather than rebooting the beloved series, offering a fresh chapter in Mia’s journey. With Hathaway at the helm, fans are excited to see how Mia’s life as the Queen of Genovia has evolved since we last saw her.
The Creative Powerhouse Behind ‘The Princess Diaries 3‘
That’s not all! The film will be directed by iconic Adele Lim, whose previous successes include Crazy Rich Asians, Joy Ride and writing the Oscar-nominated Raya and the Last Dragon. Crazy Rich Asians, which grossed over $174 million domestically, became one of the most successful romantic comedies of all time. Lim expressed her excitement in a statement, calling herself a “diehard fan” of the original films.
“I’m beyond excited to be a part of bringing the third iteration of this beloved franchise to life,” Lim shared. “We look forward to celebrating its core tenets of female power, joy, and mentorship with audiences worldwide.” Lim’s resume is nothing short of impressive. Her knack for crafting heartfelt, female-driven stories makes her an ideal choice for this project, and her fresh perspective is bound to breathe new life into the franchise.
Along with Lim’s fresh direction, longtime producer Debra Martin Chase is back at the helm, ensuring the next chapter of The Princess Diaries stays true to its roots. Chase, who produced both previous films, has a strong track record with Anne Hathaway and the franchise. The script for the forthcoming film is penned by Flora Greeson, which, as stated earlier, will continue the story from the original films rather than reboot the series, ensuring fans get a continuation of Mia’s journey. Though plot details remain under wraps, the reunion of so many familiar faces has fans eagerly awaiting any hint of what’s to come.
But What About Julie Andrews?
The question of Julie Andrews’ return as Queen Clarisse Renaldi also remains unresolved as Andrews has expressed mixed feelings about returning to the series in interviews over the years. In a 2020 interview, she mentioned that working with Anne Hathaway again would be lovely but questioned whether the timing was right.
However, In a 2024 appearance on Today, Andrews admitted, “It’s quite a long time now since the two Diaries were done, and I’m not sure, but sometimes it’s best to leave a good thing alone. I don’t like it when people milk and milk and milk the subject, you know, ’til it’s dead.” Despite Andrews’ uncertainty, fans are holding out hope for a reunion between Mia and her royal grandmother. After all, the Queen of Genovia is a fan-favourite character and an essential part of Mia’s journey.
The Waiting Game Begins
As production gears up, fans are eagerly awaiting more casting news and plot details. Will Julie Andrews grace the screen as the regal Queen Clarisse? Will Chris Pine return to steal Mia’s heart once again? While these answers are still up in the air, there’s no shortage of enthusiasm from the fanbase. Who knows? Maybe a few calls to Disney could work wonders!
Until then, keep your royal tiaras polished and stay tuned for more updates on the next chapter of The Princess Diaries!