Dame Julie Andrews has said she will not appear in The Princess Diaries 3.
It was confirmed in 2022 that Disney was moving forward with a third film in the series, with Anne Hathaway saying in October 2024 that she would reprise her role of Mia Thermopolis.
Dame Julie, 90, said she was offered the chance to return as Mia’s grandmother Clarisse, but declined because she has retired from screen acting.
Speaking to InStyle magazine, she said: “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.”
In a separate interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dame Julie said she will continue with other types of work.
She said: “I’m not completely retired, but it’s a different kind of work that I do these days – [writing] books, and I do a lot of recording of podcasts and voiceovers. But truly, I don’t think I should be a part of it.
“It isn’t that I’m not enthusiastic for it. It’s just that I really don’t feel I should be part of it now.”
While she will not appear in the film, Dame Julie said she is looking forward to seeing what Hathaway and Meg Cabot, who wrote the novels the films are based on, come up with.
The original film, Hathaway’s first major role, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Asked why it remains popular so many years later, Dame Julie said: “I’ve not really given it thought that way.
“I mean, I’m thrilled, and it was well-made by dear Garry Marshall, who was the sweetest director you could imagine and funny and talented and considerate. So it was a very enjoyable film to make.”
The third Princess Diaries film will be directed by Adele Lim, known for her work on Crazy Rich Asians and Joy Ride.
Hathaway, 43, recently confirmed work on the third film had paused due to her pregnancy.
Speaking on Sirius XM’s Radio Andy, she said: “I’m busy making baby number three and that has sort of taken the place of knowing exactly when I can make Princess Diaries 3.
“But I can say I think we had a story breakthrough. I think we are moving in the right direction.
“The script that we were working on – we kind of had to start over with this new direction, which is not the update I think anybody wants, but we all feel really good that this is gonna be the one.”
