UPDATE: Variety is saying that, contrary to The Tracking Board’s report, Disney is not currently developing a third installment in the Princess Diaries series. A conversation took place in which the future of the franchise was discussed, but nothing came out of it, and no screenwriter is attached. For now, at least, Genovia’s throne remains vacant.
ORIGNIAL STORY:
More than a decade after the second entry in the series, Walt Disney Pictures is officially moving forward with The Princess Diaries 3.
The original, released in 2001, is credited with turning Anne Hathaway into a Hollywood star. Adapted from Meg Cabot’s bestselling YA book of the same name, it followed a normal teenager named Mia Thermopolis, who is whisked away to the Kingdom of Genovia when she discovers that she is the heir to the throne.
The Princess Diaries was a commercial and critical success, pulling in more than $165 million worldwide and being dubbed a young-adult classic. It led to a 2004 sequel that grossed slightly less and drew less positive reactions – though just as the first film debuted Hathaway, the follow-up made a star out of Chris Pine, so the world has to thank it for that.
A third Princess Diaries has been rumored for years, with Hathaway ruling out a return again and again (she’s gone on to much bigger and better things, including an Oscar win). This new chapter will serve as a reboot of the franchise, so it may or may not involve the actress dependent on her interest and availability.
Debra Chase is producing the new installment through Martin Chase Productions, returning in the same role she held on the first two films.
Disney has been plundering its past hits for potential remakes with exceptional ruthlessness of late. It’s in the midst of a fairy tale resurgence, plotting live-action takes on Beauty and the Beast and Mulan, and the studio is also planning new Peter Pan, Dumbo, Fantasia, Winnie the Pooh and Pinnochio films. Additionally, remakes of live-action pics The Haunted Mansion and Flight of the Navigator have been announced, with the former making bigger strides forward than the latter.
With all these redos going on, it makes a lot of sense that Disney would again aim for its beloved tween/teen demo with a familiar property. Tell us, do you want to see a third Princess Diaries? Or would you rather this long-dormant series was left alone?
Published: Jun 17, 2015 01:32 pm