Anne Hathaway: Is a new 'Princess Diaries' movie happening?
Anne Hathaway available? A third film in Disney's 'Princess Diaries' movie series is rumored to be moving forward. Would star Anne Hathaway return and how would a new movie fit into Disney's new ideas about princesses?
The 'Princess Diaries' movies star Anne Hathaway (center), Julie Andrews (r.), and Larry Miller (l.).
Ron Batzdorff/Buena Vista Pictures/AP
Is a third movie in the 鈥淧rincess Diaries鈥� series happening?聽
The website reported recently that a new film is currently in the works at Disney and that producer Debra Chase, who produced the first two films, is on board for this film as well.聽
[Update: Both and quote unnamed sources as saying a movie is not in the works right now. We'll have to keep an eye out to see if a movie about Mia or her sister Olivia happens down the road.]
The original film series starred Anne Hathaway of 鈥淚nterstellar鈥� as Mia Thermopolis, a teenager who finds out she is the heir to the throne of a fictional country called Genovia. Actress Julie Andrews portrayed her grandmother, who gives her lessons in how to be a ruler.
The movies are based on the book series of the same name by Meg Cabot and while the first film followed the plotline of Ms. Cabot鈥檚 first book in the series, the second had an all-new story.
Will star Ms. Hathaway return? Tracking Board associate editor Clark Allen reports that 鈥渟ources tell鈥� me that the film may or may not include Hathaway, with an intention to launch a reboot of the franchise.鈥� A possibility for a reboot may lie in a new book being written by Cabot. As we previously reported, Cabot recently published not only a new book for adults that鈥檚 about Mia but also the first book in what the author says will be a new series for middle-grade readers. Titled 鈥淔rom the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess,鈥� the new books center on Olivia, who discovers she is Mia鈥檚 half-sister. If Hathaway isn鈥檛 up for a new movie, perhaps a possible new film would center on Olivia.
Whether Mia or Olivia was the protagonist of a new 鈥淧rincess鈥� movie, the tone of the original series is in line with Disney鈥檚 current princesses. While the Disney princesses of decades ago were often poised and charming, Princess Anna of 2013鈥檚 鈥淔rozen鈥� is more likely to say, 鈥淭his is awkward鈥� and that someone 鈥渇reaked out.鈥� Mia of 鈥淭he Princess Diaries鈥� was often clumsy and struggled to master skills like speaking in public. A new 鈥淧rincess Diaries鈥� movie would continue the all-important princess brand but continue Disney鈥檚 trend of making their princesses a bit more down-to-earth.聽