NEED TO KNOW
Robert Schwartzman is giving an update on the possibility of a return for The Princess Diaries 3.
The actor and musician, who starred in the film as Michael Moscovitz — the quirky crush of Mia (Anne Hathaway) in the 2001 original film — reveals to PEOPLE he’s had “early” talks about the third installment.
Schwartzman, 42, who has been focusing on directing and producing in recent years, was discussing whether he’d return to acting following his last role in 2019’s Lost Transmissions.
Disney+
“It’s funny, I’ve never been against pursuing and getting to enjoy acting. I think I just get nervous. I don’t really feel as confident in myself as an actor. I think that’s what it is. If you give me a guitar and put me on stage, I feel pretty good about doing that,” he says.
According to Schwartzman, the project would need to be “the right story and the right circumstances.”
The Rooney frontman then points to the success of The Princess Diaries — and how its created such a longtime fanbase for him.
“I do get hit up a lot by people saying, ‘Are you going to come back and do the movie?'” he says, noting that he knows “how hard it is to make a movie.”
When it comes to The Princess Diaries 3, Schwartzman believes the team needs to explore how they’re going to tell the next chapter.
“For me, I’m just in standing-by mode waiting to see what the filmmakers want to do with this next chapter. If they want to bring Michael back to be a part of the journey of the characters, I’m obviously happy to support the efforts of the filmmakers, but certainly it’s very, very exciting for me to always hear fans say, ‘I need Michael back. I want Michael back,'” says The Virgin Suicides star.
Ron Batzdorff
His conversations with the team have been about “very early days stuff.”
“I’ve been told that they’re starting to imagine this world and how it’s going to be told, but I don’t know much beyond that,” says Schwartzman.
He noted that he’d welcome fans who want to “campaign” for Michael to return “in a major way.”
“Certainly the opportunity is there for people to create that tidal wave of interest,” says Schwartzman. “And I’m sure the people on the other side will be listening to it.”
In October 2024, Hathaway, who starred as Mia, posted the official announcement of the third film.
“Miracles happen ✨👑 Back to Genovia with @adeleblim @disney @somewherepictures. The fairy tale continues ❤️🔥,” she captioned an Instagram post.
That month, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Adele Lim, whose who helmed 2023’s Joy Ride, is set to direct The Princess Diaries 3.
