Anne Hathaway is having one of the biggest years of her career. However, the project many fans are most excited about is still in development: “The Princess Diaries 3.” Recently, another star of the films, Hollywood legend Julie Andrews, opened up about why fans won’t see her in the upcoming film.
4It was confirmed in 2022 that “The Princess Diaries 3” was in the works with Aadrita Mukerji hired to write the screenplay. More recently, Hathaway has discussed the planned movie, revealing that there have been different versions of the script.
In August 2026, Andrews spoke to InStyle, confirming that she will not be in the film but that the team behind it had approached her with an offer. She began, “I think I probably passed. I think I’m retired, really, would be about the best description for that. [They] asked me all last year if I would be keen to do it.”
After that, she said, “It was very, very hard to say ‘no,’ but I did because I thought I had a wonderful ride, and this one I felt would flourish very well and wouldn’t need Granny going in there at my age.”
Anne Hathaway Recently Gave An Update On ‘The Princess Diaries 3’
4Hathaway is appearing in several big-budget movies in 2026. This includes “The Odyssey,” “The Last House on Oak Street,” and “Dune 3.” In June 2026, while appearing on SiriusXM’s “Andy Cohen Live,” the actress was asked for an update on “The Princess Diaries 3.”
She said that the development for the movie is “moving in the right direction.” Hathaway continued, “I can say I think we had a story breakthrough. The script that we were working on — we kind of had to start over with this new direction, which is not the update I think anybody wants, but we all feel really good that this is gonna be the one.”
Regarding the timeline, Hathaway, who is pregnant, stated, “I’m busy making baby number three, and that has sort of taken the place of knowing when exactly I can make ‘Princess Diaries 3.’”
Julie Andrews Hasn’t Appeared On Screen In Several Years
4Andrews is a legend in Hollywood thanks to classics like “The Sound of Music,” “Mary Poppins,” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” However, the legendary actress, now age 90, hasn’t appeared on screen since 2017’s “Julie’s Greenroom,” which consisted of 13 episodes. Regarding film, her last time being seen outside of voice work came with 2010’s “Tooth Fairy.”
More recently, she has lent her voice to projects such as Netflix’s “Bridgerton,” “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “Despicable Me 3,” and “The King’s Daughter.”
The ‘Princess Diaries’ Movies Were Huge Hits
4Walt Disney Studios released “The Princess Diaries” in August 2001 and its sequel, “The Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement,” in 2024. Regarding the first film, according to Box Office Mojo, it has grossed $165,335,153, including both US and international markets. The movie had a budget of $26,000,000. It made $22,862,269 in its first weekend of release.
The second film was also a success, although not as big a one as the original film. In total, it has earned $134,734,481 off of a $40,000,000 budget. However, it should be noted that the second movie in the franchise had a bigger opening weekend than the first, bringing in $22,956,453.
Julie Andrews Has A New Children’s Book Out
Andrews’ newest book, “Shy,” which she coauthored with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, was released in August 2026 from Abrams Books for Young Readers. Notably, they have written over 35 books together. While speaking to InStyle, Andrews discussed working with her daughter, saying, “We have slightly different strengths. Emma’s all the nuts and bolts of the book.”
She continued, “I do the kind of opening and closing, or finishing a chapter and moving on to the next one, and we finish each other’s sentences all the time…” Hamilton then chimmed in, “It’s true. I’m the champion of structure, and mom is the great ideas.” Her daughter also opened up about what it means to write books for other people’s children.
She stated, “There is something so joyous about it because ultimately the stories need to be inherently hopeful, or at least, if not hopeful—they don’t have to have a happy ending, but they have to provide tools.”
