Twenty-five years after "The Princess Diaries" premiered, launching Anne Hathaway to stardom, a third film in the franchise is set to bring the story to a close. Director Adele Lim has indicated that familiar faces from the original movies will appear, with plans to shoot in Europe and showcase Genovia. The upcoming film continues the story that began with the 2001 film and its 2004 sequel, "The Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement."
Anne Hathaway (Mia Thermopolis)
Hathaway, who was 18 when "The Princess Diaries" was released, quickly became a prominent figure in Hollywood. Her career has since included an Academy Award, roles in films that have grossed billions worldwide, and a significant presence in the industry. In the early 2010s, Hathaway faced a period of intense online criticism, dubbed 'Hatha-hate,' which reportedly impacted her career and mental well-being. Despite winning an Oscar for "Les Miserables" in 2013, she continued to face public scrutiny. Hathaway has since experienced a career resurgence, with recent successes including "The Devil Wears Prada" and "The Odyssey." She has also received acclaim for her role in the musical film "Mother Mary" and has upcoming projects such as the sci-fi film "The End of Oak Street" and the thriller "Verity." The 2027 awards season is anticipated to be significant for her, especially with potential Oscar nominations and a recent announcement allowing actors to be nominated for multiple performances in the same category. Hathaway is also expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman.
Julie Andrews (Queen Clarisse Renaldi)
Before playing the Queen of Genovia, Julie Andrews was an established star with an Academy Award for "Mary Poppins." "The Princess Diaries" marked a return to prominence after she experienced vocal issues following throat surgery in 1997 to remove nodules. The procedure resulted in permanent scar tissue, affecting her singing range. Despite this, she publicly sang for the first time since the surgery in the 2004 sequel, a moment described by crew members as emotional. In recent years, Andrews has focused on voice roles in projects like "Shrek 2" and "Despicable Me," and has appeared in "Bridgerton." She celebrated her 90th birthday in October and has spoken about living a quieter life, which she enjoys, while remaining hopeful for future endeavors.
Héctor Elizondo (Joe)
Elizondo, known for his role in "Pretty Woman," played the fan-favorite bodyguard Joe in "The Princess Diaries." He later collaborated with director Garry Marshall on "New Year’s Eve" (2011) and "Mother’s Day" (2016). Elizondo also joined the cast of the USA Network series "Monk" as Dr. Neven Bell, a role he reprised in "Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie" (2023). He also starred as Ed Alzate in the Fox comedy "Last Man Standing." Elizondo has been vocal about his pride in his Latino heritage and his commitment to avoiding stereotypical roles, having previously declined a part in "Scarface" due to its association with violence.
Heather Matarazzo (Lilly Moscovitz)
Matarazzo gained recognition for her role in "Welcome to the Dollhouse" before portraying Mia's friend Lilly Moscovitz. She also appeared in the "Scream" franchise and films such as "Sorority Boys" and "Hostel: Part II." At 21, Matarazzo publicly came out as a lesbian. She is now married to writer Heather Turman, whom she met in 2016, and the couple resides in Michigan. Matarazzo continues to act, with a recent role in "Wednesday," but in 2022, she expressed frustration with her career struggles, alluding to a desire for a significant career breakthrough.
Mandy Moore (Lana Thomas)
"The Princess Diaries" was one of Mandy Moore's early film roles, following her career as a singer. She played the antagonist Lana Thomas, a departure from her pop persona. Moore has since starred in "A Walk to Remember," "License to Wed," and "47 Meters Down," and voiced Rapunzel in Disney's "Tangled." Her role as Rebecca Pearson in the NBC series "This Is Us" earned her Golden Globe and Emmy nominations. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019. Moore was married to musician Ryan Adams, later accusing him of psychological abuse, allegations Adams denied. She is now married to musician Taylor Goldsmith, with whom she has three children.
Caroline Goodall (Helen Thermopolis)
Caroline Goodall, who began her career with the Royal Shakespeare Company, played Mia's mother, Helen Thermopolis, in "The Princess Diaries" and its sequel. She later reunited with Mandy Moore in "Chasing Liberty" and worked with Steven Spielberg on "Hook" and "Schindler's List." Goodall also appeared in "The Dressmaker" and played Lady Doris in "The Crown." She has since transitioned to producing, working on the 2020 film "The Bay of Silence."
Robert Schwartzman (Michael Moscovitz)
As a member of a prominent filmmaking family, Robert Schwartzman, nephew of Francis Ford Coppola, played Mia's love interest Michael Moscovitz. He also appeared in films directed by his cousin Sofia Coppola, including "Lick the Star" and "The Virgin Suicides." Schwartzman's primary focus became music, founding the rock band Rooney. He has also directed films, including 2023's "The Good Half," and founded the film production and distribution company Utopia.
Erik von Detten (Josh Bryant)
Erik von Detten portrayed Josh Bryant, Mia's high school crush. His other notable roles include "Brink!" and voicing Erwin Lawson in "Recess."
Von Detten stepped away from acting over the past decade, with his last credited role being in "Toy Story 3" (2010). Since 2018, he has worked in financial asset management and commodities brokerage. He is married and has three children.
Patrick John Flueger (Jeremiah Hart)
Flueger made his film debut as Jeremiah Hart. He later achieved a significant television role as Shawn Farrell in "The 4400" and has since become a main cast member on "Chicago P.D." as Adam Ruzek.
Sean O’Bryan (Mr. O’Connell)
Sean O'Bryan played Mia's English teacher, Mr. O'Connell. His career includes roles in television series such as "Roseanne," "Six Feet Under," and "Dexter," as well as a recurring part on "The Middle." His recent film credits include the 2024 horror movie "Traumatika."
Sandra Oh (Vice Principal Gupta)
Sandra Oh played Vice Principal Geraldine Gupta. While "The Princess Diaries" introduced her to a wider audience, her breakthrough role was Cristina Yang in "Grey's Anatomy," for which she received multiple awards. Her role in "Killing Eve" brought her international acclaim, making her the first Asian woman to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Drama in nearly 40 years. She most recently appeared in Aziz Ansari's "Good Fortune."
Larry Miller (Paolo)
Larry Miller portrayed the flamboyant hairdresser Paolo Puttanesca. He also appeared in "Pretty Woman" and "10 Things I Hate About You." Miller experienced a serious head injury in 2012 that led to a coma and required life support, but he recovered and returned to his podcast, "This Week with Larry Miller." He is married and has two children.