The Princess Diaries film is about to turn sixteen this year and, besides making some readers feel really old, this anniversary comes with some exciting news for longtime fans of the delightful young adult franchise.

Specifically, this latest anniversary has sparked new rumors that a third Princess Diaries film is in development. While this rumor has been nothing more than wishful thinking for over a decade now, it looks like there is finally some substance behind it. At least, there is if you believe the word of Meg Cabot, author of the Princess Diaries book series that the film franchise is based on (and you obviously should).

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly to celebrate the upcoming cinematic anniversary, Cabot was asked directly if any plans were in the works to continue the iconic series. In a surprise twist, the author revealed that there has actually been some renewed desire for a third film. These new plans come following the death of the film franchise’s director Garry Marshall last year, who had been a longtime supporter of making another Princess Diaries film. Cabot stated that Hollywood executives are now considering a third film “as a kind of tribute” to the late director.

Before you get too excited, Cabot stressed that there has been no official confirmation of The Princess Diaries 3. Things still appear to be in the early stages of plot development, on which Cabot has been coy:

“I am not allowed to say. I would love to sit and talk about [it], but I can’t. I’m not allowed. But it’s really more following the movie than the books, so if [Mia]—the last version I read, she definitely did not find out that she has a biracial younger sister … which I personally would’ve thought was hilarious, but that was not the direction they were going.”

All jokes aside, this is still the most substantial news we’ve heard about the return of the Kingdom of Genovia in years. Plans for a third film have been frustratingly stuck in development hell since The Princess Diaries 2 was released in 2004, despite interest being repeatedly and recently expressed by the franchise’s lead stars Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews, Mandy Moore, Heather Matarazzo and Chris Pine.

With so much support from fans and the original cast, at this point it seems like the only thing stopping The Princess Diaries 3 is a matter of scheduling around the calendars of these busy stars. But, if an ordinary girl can rise to the responsibilities of royalty and win the hand of one of the most eligible young bachelors in all of Europe, I’m pretty sure everyone involved can make this work.

Do we have any Princess Diaries fans among our readers, and if so are you excited about the possibility of finally seeing a third film? What do you want to see the newly crowned Queen of Genovia accomplish on the throne? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Source: Entertainment Weekly