EXCLUSIVE

〉The 2001 hit starred Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews

Walt Disney Pictures is officially moving forward with the third entry in the beloved PRINCESS DIARIES franchise. The original, which helped skyrocket Anne Hathaway to the forefront, was adapted from Meg Cabot’s 2000 novel of the same name. Co-starring Oscar winner Julie Andrews, the first installment, which followed unassuming teenager Mia Thermopolis who discovers that she is the heir to the fictional Kingdom of Genovia, was a hit with audiences, leading to a sequel.

For years, rumors have circled about Disney’s plans to release a third chapter, but series star Hathaway has refuted her involvement with a new sequel on multiple occasions. The plot of Princess Diaries 3 is being kept tight under lock and key, with sources telling me that the film may or may not include Hathaway, with an intention to launch a reboot of the franchise.

Debra Chase of Martin Chase Productions is returning to produce the newest outing, after serving as a producer on the previous two. Chase has had success with other fare in the genre, subsequently producing the hit Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. Charles Pugliese will oversee for Chase, which is next producing the action/thriller Hunt, Capture, Kill for Millenium, scripted by Remember The Titans‘ Gregory Allen Howard.

Kristin Burr and Foster Driver will oversee for Disney.

Released in 2001, The Princess Diaries was directed by veteran helmer Garry Marshall and produced by the late Whitney Houston. The film opened third that year, raking in more than $165 million worldwide. The teen romantic comedy was a commercial success and cultural hit, leading to the 2004 sequel The Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement, which was the feature debut of a young Chris Pine and was scripted by renowned TV showrunner Shonda Rhimes.

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Clark Allen | Associate Editor