New Director Announced for ‘Princess Diaries 3’ as Franchise Revives

Anne Hathaway is set to return in her iconic role in “Princess Diaries 3,” with a new director, Adele Lim, at the helm for the third installment of the beloved Disney franchise. Lim, known for her work on “Crazy Rich Asians,” will be directing after having made her directorial debut with “Joy Ride.” This marks Lim’s second directorial endeavor following her prior experience in screenwriting with Disney’s animated film “Raya and the Last Dragon.”

Debra Martin Chase will be producing the latest sequel, with key production executives including Lim’s partner Naia Cucukov, and Melissa Stack, serving as executive producers. Flora Greeson has been tasked with penning the screenplay. The project looks to continue the narrative established in the original “Princess Diaries” (2001) and its 2004 sequel, “Royal Engagement,” rather than rebooting the series.

The original “Princess Diaries” films, which starred Anne Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis and Dame Julie Andrews as her grandmother, collectively grossed around $300 million worldwide. They followed the story of a young woman who discovers she is the heir to the throne of the fictional kingdom of Genovia and learns to navigate her newfound royal life alongside her teenage experiences.

“As a diehard 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,” Lim stated in an announcement. “We look forward to celebrating its core tenants of female power, joy, and mentorship with audiences worldwide.”

The revival of this franchise is highly anticipated, given the success and cultural impact of the previous films. Hathaway herself has expressed her enthusiasm for returning to the role, sharing the news with fans through social media by quoting an iconic line from the series.

Producer Debra Martin Chase has been integral to bringing the franchise back, with Hathaway also set to produce under her Somewhere Pictures banner. Naia Cucukov, who co-founded the production company 100 Tigers with Lim, is heavily involved in overseeing the production.

100 Tigers, which aims to foster and empower female-forward, cross-cultural stories, has many projects currently in development across major platforms, including Amazon/MGM and HBO Max. Lim’s move into directing “Princess Diaries 3” represents a significant step in her expanding role within the industry.

The information regarding this new venture was first reported by Deadline, highlighting Lim’s deal to take on the directorial responsibilities for “Princess Diaries 3.”