Now Is The Perfect Time For Princess Diaries 3 To Break A 20-Year-Old Story Trend
Summary
- Anne Hathaway hints at potential Princess Diaries 3, marking a perfect time to continue Mia’s story as Queen of Genovia.
- The trend of romance in the first two movies may shift, as Disney moves away from obligatory romantic subplots for female leads.
- While Hathaway’s interest is promising, the return of key actors like Julie Andrews and Chris Pine, as well as the right director, is crucial for a threequel.
It’s been 20 years since the last The Princess Diaries movie, but now is the perfect time for a threequel since there is no longer a need to continue a series trend. The previous installment in the franchise, Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, was released in 2004, and Princess Diaries 3 has seemed less and less likely with every passing year. However, star Anne Hathaway has planted a seed of hope for a potential threequel, and considering how much times have changed in the last two decades, this makes perfect sense.
Prior to 2024, Hathaway had stated that there was no need for a The Princess Diaries 3 since Mia Thermopolis had gotten her happily ever after. However, the star recently changed her tune (via Screen Rant), noting that “We’re in a good place” for another Princess Diaries movie. Though she followed this by saying, “There’s nothing to announce yet,” it sounds like something is in the works. It would be highly exciting to see what Queen Mia has been up to since her coronation, but since the last two Princess Diaries movies were romance stories, what does this mean for the possible third?
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The Princess Diaries 3 Doesn’t Have To Be A Romance Story
The First Two Princess Diaries Movies Started A Romance Trend That Would Have Been Weird To Break In The 2000s
Part of why it has seemed strange to continue the story of The Princess Diaries is that the previous two films had been established as romance stories. This was pretty standard for Disney in the 2000s, with any movie heroine having an obligatory romantic subplot. In the first Princess Diaries movie, Mia grappled with her status as a royal while seeking out her teenage dream of a “foot-popping kiss,” which she ultimately found with Michael Moscovitz (Robert Schwartzman). Of course, this was just teenage love, so Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement saw Mia in a more grown-up romance with Nicholas Devereaux (Chris Pine).
Since a princess’ “happily ever after” is traditionally defined as finding true love, Mia’s Princess Diaries story was considered over after the sequel.
Since a princess’ “happily ever after” is traditionally defined as finding true love, Mia’s Princess Diaries story was considered over after the sequel. If a third movie had been produced in the 2000s, it would have needed to see the heroine go through yet another romance arc, which would have felt strange after the big romantic leadup to Nicholas and Mia’s ending. These days, however, Disney has moved away from the idea that every female-led film must revolve around romance, making now the perfect time to continue Mia’s story as Queen of Genovia.
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Will Princess Diaries 3 Ever Happen?
Hathaway’s tease about Princess Diaries 3 is undoubtedly promising, but it’s no guarantee that the movie will actually become a reality. Since there has been no official confirmation, the actor’s statement about being “in a good place” likely refers to an optimistic pitch and perhaps even a script. For a threequel to work, several parties must align their schedules and commit to the project. Many promising movies have fallen apart because this couldn’t happen.
It certainly sounds as if Hathaway is on board, but the return of Julie Andrews would be a must for Princess Diaries 3. Chris Pine would also be necessary in a threequel since audiences will want to see whatever came of this romance after Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement. As well as several other original actors, a potential threequel would also need the right director since Garry Marshall, who directed the first two Princess Diaries movies, passed away in 2016. Hopefully, the stars will align, and the right people will be available at the correct times to finally bring us back to Genovia—only time will tell.
The Princess Diaries 3
The Princess Diaries 3 is the sequel to The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement and was announced to be in development back in 2022. Anne Hathaway has expressed interest in returning to the role of Queen of Genovia, but casting has yet to be officially announced.
