Princess Diaries 3: Director Garry Marshall confirms talks with Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews

Speculation that a third instalment in Disney's The Princess Diaries movie series might finally make its way to the big screen has been bandied about for a good few years, but over the recent weeks, things are starting to become more final as director Garry Marshall has hinted that a sequel is in the pipeline. Now, the filmmaker has confirmed that he's met with some of the original movies' cast to discuss their return to the franchise.

Talking in a interview on talk show Larry King Now on 22 April, the 81-year-old revealed that he's met with star Anne Hathaway and spoken to Julie Andrews about the possibility of the pair of them reprising their much-loved roles. He also joked about the fact that if anything definite – such as official castings and release dates – will be announced in the near future, it won't be by him, but likely by the studio themselves as they like to keep control over their projects.

"Disney always likes to announce things, so they tell [me], 'Shut up, we'll announce it'" he admitted. "No, I work for Disney, I love working for them. This is the modern world, Larry. [Anne] came to my office, she was quite pregnant — now she's had the kid, but she comes in pregnant — she puts her computer on the table, pushes three buttons, it's Julie Andrews on Skype in Long Island. And we have a meeting. This is how we work. So I hope they do it."

Considering that Meg Cabot's best-selling novels first made their way to the silver screen with The Princess Diaries in 2001 and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement way in 2004, signing both Hathaway and Andrews for a third instalment would certainly be an achievement for both Disney and director Marshall.

Marshall previously hinted that he hopes Chris Pine, Hathaway's love interest in the second movie, will reprise his role too. Personally , we're hoping to see Hector Elizondo crop up again too.

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