The Princess Diaries 3 is moving ahead, with director Adele Lim confirming that development is progressing well and that the sequel will bring back beloved characters from the earlier films.
Speaking at the Gold Gala, Lim said the creative team is focused on “getting the story right,” given how strongly the franchise is still cherished by audiences worldwide.
The film will continue the story of Mia Thermopolis, played by Anne Hathaway, who is expected to return as the Queen of Genovia.
Lim explained that unlike the earlier films, which focused on Mia’s transformation into royalty, the third instalment will explore her life as a fully established ruler.
She described the new direction as a shift from “princess wish fulfilment” to stories about queenship and leadership, aiming to portray “a woman in her full power.”
Lim also noted that many fans of the original 2001 film are now adults with families, a fact that has influenced the emotional tone and themes of the sequel.
Her own experience as a mother has shaped her perspective on how Mia’s journey should evolve.
The director teased that audiences can expect “a lot of fun returns,” suggesting the comeback of familiar characters and nostalgic elements from the first two films.
She also confirmed that production plans include filming in Europe, allowing the fictional kingdom of Genovia to be shown on a larger, more cinematic scale than before.
Although filming schedules have not yet been finalised, Lim emphasised that the goal is to balance nostalgia with a modern, more mature storyline that resonates with both long-time fans and new audiences.
Alongside this project, Lim is also developing a sequel series for Crazy Rich Asians at HBO.
The series will expand on the characters from Kevin Kwan’s books, giving more space to explore individual storylines.
Lim added that discussions are ongoing about potentially bringing back members of the original film’s cast, though no official confirmations have been made yet. (ANI)
