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EXCLUSIVE: Adele Lim is set to return to Disney as the director of Princess Diaries 3, the latest installment in the beloved Princess Diaries franchise.
This marks Lim’s second time in the director’s chair after co-writing Disney’s 2021 animated hit Raya and the Last Dragon. Lim made her directorial debut with the Lionsgate comedy Joy Ride, a raunchy, R-rated, female-led Asian American film.
Debra Martin Chase will produce Princess Diaries 3, with Lim’s producing partner Naia Cucukov and Melissa Stack serving as executive producers. The screenplay is being written by Flora Greeson.
The original Princess Diaries film, released in 2001, launched Anne Hathaway’s career and grossed over $300 million globally alongside its 2004 sequel, The Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement. Both films were directed by Garry Marshall and co-starred Julie Andrews. The story follows Mia Thermopolis, played by Hathaway, who discovers she is the heir to the throne of Genovia while navigating the challenges of being a teenager.
“As a diehard fan of the original Princess Diaries, I’m thrilled to help bring this third installment to life,” Lim shared. “We’re excited to celebrate its themes of female empowerment, joy, and mentorship with audiences everywhere.”
Lim’s extensive resume includes writing and producing for TV series such as One Tree Hill and Lethal Weapon, as well as co-showrunning Star-Crossed. She also co-wrote Crazy Rich Asians, which grossed $174 million in the U.S. and received Golden Globe and Producers Guild Award nominations, winning the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Picture.
In 2023, Lim co-founded the production company 100 Tigers with Naia Cucukov. The company is focused on creating female-driven, cross-cultural stories with global appeal. 100 Tigers has several projects in development with major studios, including Amazon/MGM, HBO Max, and ABC.
Lim is represented by Paradigm and Ginsburg, Daniels, Kallis. Chase is represented by CAA and Del Shaw Moonves. Cucukov is represented by Paradigm and Sean Marks. Stack is repped by CAA and Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment. Greeson is with Bill Zotti and UTA.