Disney’s ‘Princess Diaries 3’ Gets Royal Treatment: Sets Adele Lim As Director

EXCLUSIVE: Adele Lim is returning to work with Disney as director of the third installment of their prized franchise, Princess Diaries 3.

It’s the second time Lim will be behind the camera post writing Disney’s animated 2021 movie, Raya and the Last Dragon. Lim made her directorial debut with the R-rated raunchy Lionsgate female Asian American comedy Joy Ride.

Debra Martin Chase is producing. EPs include Lim’s producing partner Naia Cucukov and Melissa Stack. Lim is repped by Paradigm and Ginsburg, Daniels, Kallis. Chase is repped by CAA and Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano. Cucukov is repped by Paradigm and Sean Marks. Stack is represented by CAA and Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment.

Disney launched The Princess Diaries in 2001 catapulting Anne Hathaway into a marquee name at the box office. There was also a 2004 sequel, The Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement. Both also starred Julie Andrews and were directed by the late filmmaker Garry Marshall. Together both pics grossed $300M WW. The first movie followed Hathaway’s Mia Thermopolis who learns she’s the heir apparent to the throne of the country, Genovia. She takes her friends Lilly and Michael Moscovitz along for the ride as she tries to navigate through teenagedom.

Lim tells us, “As a diehard fan of the original Princess Diaries, I’m beyond excited to be a part of bringing the third iteration of this beloved franchise to life.  We look forward to celebrating its core tenants of female power, joy and mentorship with audiences worldwide.”

Lim’s credits include being a writer-producer on such shows as One Tree Hill, Lethal Weapon, as well as being the co-showrunner on the CW series Starcrossed.

She wrote Warner Bros. blockbuster Jon Chu directed Asian romcom Crazy Rich Asians which grossed $174M stateside and picked up nominations for Best Picture at the Golden Globes, Producers Guild Award, and winning the Critics Choice Award.

Last year Lim partnered with Naia Cucukov to form the production company 100 Tigers.  Cucukov was a former Walden Media senior executive who’s credits include the Netflix series The Baby-Sitters Club and Manhunt.  The mission for the company is to “foster and empower artists and projects that share our passion for female-forward, cross-cultural stories with global appeal and a glossy edge.”  100 Tigers has several projects in development at various studios including Amazon/MGM, HBO Max, and ABC.