Full Breakdown
Anne Hathaway’s *Princess Diaries 3*: Script Reset, Pregnancy, and Future Prospects
7/22/2026, 11:33:14 AM
Core Development Update
Anne Hathaway confirmed that the third installment of *The Princess Diaries* franchise has undergone a complete script overhaul. The rewrite coincides with Hathaway’s third pregnancy, which she says has pushed back any concrete production timetable. No filming has started and no release date has been set.
Background & Context
*The Princess Diaries* (2001) earned $165.3 million worldwide, and its sequel (2004) added $134.7 million, for roughly $300 million combined on modest budgets. The franchise’s enduring popularity has kept Disney interested in a third film since a writer was first attached in November 2022. Over the four-year development window, three writers have been linked: Aadrita Mukerji (2022), Flora Greeson (2024), and most recently a discarded draft by an unnamed writer in 2025. Producer Debra Martin Chase returns, while Hathaway also produces through her Somewhere Pictures banner, joined by executive producers Naia Cucukov and Melissa Stack.
Timeline
| Date (as listed) | Event |
|---|---|
| July 14 2026 (occurred) | Hathaway appeared in a Prada dress at the *The Odyssey* premiere; a Fanbolt report noted her comment that the script “had to start over.” |
| July 21 2026 (occurred) | On *The View*, Hathaway became teary while discussing her pregnancy and recent work. |
| May 2026 (general) | Director Adele Lim told Variety the goal is to “get the story right,” reflecting the script reset. |
| August 14 2026 (scheduled) | Release of *The End of Oak Street* (unrelated to the princess franchise). |
| October 2 2026 (scheduled) | Release of *Verity* (unrelated to the princess franchise). |
Data & Statistics
- Franchise box office: $165.3 M (2001) + $134.7 M (2004) ? $300 M total.
- Writer turnover: Two confirmed writers (Mukerji, Greeson) plus an additional, now-abandoned draft, indicating three distinct script versions over four years.
- Production status: No cameras have rolled; development has remained at the script stage since 2022.
Official Statements & Responses
Producer Debra Martin Chase and Hathaway’s production company remain attached, signaling continued studio commitment despite the delay.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's been wonderful watching you grow up,” — Whoopi Goldberg
- “I would be crying if I wasn't pregnant right now, but it's double,” — Team Entertainment Anne Hathaway
- “I connected to it through the things going on in my personal life, being a mom lucky enough to be married to the love of my life, but even if I didn’t have that it was all in Chris’ script,” — Team Entertainment Anne Hathaway
- “It's a really, really rich character,” — Team Entertainment Anne Hathaway
What’s Next
The script reset means that *Princess Diaries 3* remains in development with no confirmed shooting schedule. Hathaway’s third child is due later in 2026, and she has indicated that production cannot be slated until after her maternity period. Disney has not announced a target release window, and the franchise’s future will depend on the new script’s progress and Hathaway’s availability.
