It has been confirmed that Julie Andrews is stepping back from The Princess Diaries, not reprising her role as the timeless Queen Clarisse Renaldi in the third instalment that is soon to come.
The Princess Diaries first came out in 2001, starring a young Anne Hathaway alongside Andrews in a new-style coming-of-age film. It is based on Meg Cabot’s novel series Mia Thermopolis, played by Anne Hathaway, who is an awkward teenager discovering her estranged grandmother is Queen Clarisse Renaldi. She is thrown into the life of royalty as the next heir, and we see her grow into a true princess. The popularity gave way to a sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, in 2004, where both Andrews and Hathaway reprised their roles in a story of love vs expectations.
In recent interviews, Julie Andrews has reiterated that she will not be returning to the franchise alongside the others. She told Today.com, “I’m not going to be in it.
“I think the story is slightly different, and I’m not quite sure how they’re dealing with that. But it’s too late for me to do it. I think the story has to continue in Princess Mia. It’s her story. It’s not really mine.” Here Andrews highlights the new direction she expects the film to take, following an adult Mia Thermopolis, whereby she will no longer need the guidance of her wise grandmother.
This information was further discussed with InStyle, with her decision to pass on the role being a difficult one, recalling the joy from the first two films. She notes that “I think I’m retired, really, would be about the best description for that. [The film’s creative team] asked me all last year if I would be keen to do it. 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.”
Though we can all never have too much Julie Andrews, it seems she is placing the success of the film at the centre of her choice and wishes to see it thrive rather than hold it to the past. The third installment was originally confirmed in 2022, and unfortunately even then queries of b return were short lived – telling Access Hollywood “I think we know that it’s probably not going to be possible.
“It was talked about very shortly after [the second sequel] came out, but it’s now how many years since then? And I am that much older, and Annie the princess, or queen, is so much older. And I am not sure where it would float or run.” Andrews here expressed concerns about her characters place and wants to see a new style flourish.
Anne Hathaway will be taking back her role as Mia Thermopolis under the direction of Adele Lim, known for her work on Crazy Rich Asians and Joy Ride. It will be produced by Debra Martin Chase, who originated the franchise – hoping to take our favourite clumsy princess into the modern age.
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