The Princess Diaries (2001)
Coming Out at 3 August 2001 in theaters.
Comedy, Family, Romance
The Princess Diaries is coming-of-age teen comedy film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and directed by Garry Marshall. Based on Meg Cabot’s 2000 young adult novel of the same name, the film was written by Gina Wendkos and stars Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews, with a supporting cast consisting of Héctor Elizondo, Heather Matarazzo, Mandy Moore, Caroline Goodall and Robert Schwartzman. The film follows Mia Thermopolis (Hathaway), a shy American teenager who learns she is heir to the throne of a European kingdom. Under the tutelage of her estranged grandmother (Andrews), the kingdom’s reigning queen, Mia must decide whether to claim the throne she has inherited or renounce her title permanently.
Feeling confident about the novel’s film potential, Cabot’s agent pursued producer Debra Martin Chase about adapting The Princess Diaries into a feature-length film, an idea she pitched to Disney upon reading the book. After obtaining the film rights, Disney originally greenlit the project under the title The Princess of Tribeca, reverting it once its setting was changed from New York to San Francisco, where the majority of the film was shot between September and December 2000. Marshall, who was known for helming several romantic comedies, agreed to direct because he found the story ideal for family entertainment. Despite having little involvement in the film’s development, Cabot was consulted about various changes to its story and characters. Hathaway won the lead role over several established young actresses in her motion picture debut, while The Princess Diaries commemorated the end of Andrews’ semi-retirement from acting and return to Disney films, her first since Mary Poppins (1964).
Released on August 3, 2001, the film was an unexpected commercial success, grossing over $165 million worldwide. Despite earning mixed reviews for its plot and themes, Hathaway’s performance was widely praised by film critics. Ranking among the most profitable films of 2001, The Princess Diaries defied industry expectations as pundits had expected the film to underperform due to its G-rating and subject matter. The film’s success is credited with establishing Hathaway as a bankable actress and reviving Andrews’ film career. A sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, was released in 2004 to similar success, while rumors of a possible third installment have persisted since 2015.
Director: Garry Marshall
Writers: Meg Cabot (novel), Gina Wendkos
Stars: Julie Andrews, Anne Hathaway, Hector Elizondo, Heather Matarazzo, Mandy Moore, Caroline Goodall, Robert Schwartzman
Cast:
| Julie Andrews | … | Queen Clarisse Renaldi |
| Anne Hathaway | … | Mia Thermopolis |
| Hector Elizondo | … | Joe |
| Heather Matarazzo | … | Lilly Moscovitz |
| Mandy Moore | … | Lana Thomas |
| Caroline Goodall | … | Mia’s Mom, Helen |
| Robert Schwartzman | … | Michael Moscovitz |
| Erik von Detten | … | Student Josh Bryant |
| Patrick John Flueger | … | Student Jeremiah Hart |
| Sean O’Bryan | … | Teacher Mr. O’Connell |
| Sandra Oh | … | Vice Principal Gupta |
| Kathleen Marshall | … | Charlotte Kutaway |
| Mindy Burbano | … | Gym Teacher Harbula |
| Kimleigh Smith | … | Music Teacher Wells |
| Elizabeth Gudenrath | … | Cheerleader Anna |
| Bianca Lopez | … | Cheerleader Fontana |
| Tamara Levinson | … | Cheerleader Lupe |
| Lenore Thomas Douglas | … | Cable Show Student Melissa |
| Erik Bragg | … | Student Bobby Bad |
| Abigail Green-Dove | … | Student Linda Green |
| Meredith Shevory | … | Student Meredith |
| Anita Marie Curran | … | Newspaper Student Anita |
| Korry Cannon | … | Newspaper Student Korry |
| Cassie Rowell | … | Singing Student Alice |
| Chrissy Gilman | … | Beach Student |
| Todd Lowe | … | Lana’s Date Eric |
| Joe Unitas | … | Coach Joe Ewe |
| Reggie Stanton | … | Coach Dave Adams |
| Joel McCrary | … | Prime Minister Motaz |
| Clare Sera | … | Mrs. Motaz |
| Juliet Elizondo | … | Daughter Marissa Motaz |
| Greg Lewis | … | Baron Siegfried von Troken |
| Bonnie Aarons | … | Baroness Joy von Troken |
| Darwood Chung | … | Emperor Sakamoto |
| Julie Paris | … | Princess Palisades |
| Jeff Michalski | … | Scottish Duke |
| Erin O’Reilly | … | Scottish Duchess |
| Steve Restivo | … | Count Vitello |
| Brigitta Lauren | … | Lady Lindenlaub |
| Jane Morris | … | Lady Evergreen |
| Gary Combs | … | Lord Fricker |
| Adam Williams | … | Dinner Guest Adam |
| Marvin Braverman | … | State Dinner Waiter |
| Allan Kent | … | State Dinner Waiter |
| Robert Glaudini | … | Consulate Valet Adolpho |
| Bill Ferrell | … | Consulate Guard Darrell |
| Joe Ross | … | Consulate Maitre D’ |
| Steve Totland | … | Consulate Waiter |
| Charles Guardino | … | Limo Driver Mel |
| Sparrow Heatley | … | Gretchen |
| Gwenda Perez | … | Helga |
| Barbara Marshall | … | Lady Jerome |
| Sam Denoff | … | Lord Jerome |
| Tracy Reiner | … | Press Secretary Spencer |
| Dale Hikawa | … | Band Leader Dawn Kawa |
| Daru Kawalkowski | … | Countess Puck |
| Diane Frazen | … | Ball Guest Diane |
| Stanley Frazen | … | Ball Guest Stanley |
| Barbara Nabozny | … | Ball Guest Barbara |
| Ira Glick | … | Ball Guest Dr. Glunk |
| Sol Rosenthal | … | Lawyer Ball Guest |
| Hope Alexander-Willis | … | Lady Caroline |
| Joe Allen Price | … | Father Joseph |
| Willie Brown | … | Self |
| Patrick Richwood | … | Neighbor Mr. Robutusen |
| John McGivern | … | Cable Car Conductor Macintosh |
| Terry Brown | … | Policeman Washington |
| James Brown Orleans | … | Doctor Motors |
| Rob Zylowski | … | Pizza Delivery Man |
| Karl Makinen | … | Climbing Manager Schiavone |
| Sunny Hawks | … | Climbing Instructor Vivian |
| Kathy Garver | … | Cable Tourist |
| Mary Knoll | … | Trolley Tourist #2 |
| Jason Ashland | … | Trolley Tourist #1 |
| Erika Young | … | Umbrella Lady |
| Ethan Sandler | … | Tour Bus Driver |
| Bill Fricker | … | Autograph Father |
| Shan Elliot | … | Michael’s Band Flypaper |
| Trey Goodman Carter | … | Michael’s Band Flypaper |
| Bud Markowitz | … | Pear Juggler |
| Michelle Yerger | … | 911 Nun |
| Wendy S. Hallin | … | 911 Nun |
| Mark Thompson | … | DJ Mark |
| Brian Phelps | … | DJ Brian |
| Lily Marshall-Fricker | … | Kid Autograph Seeker |
| Charlotte Marshall-Fricker | … | Kid Autograph Seeker |
| Sandra Taylor | … | Suki Sanchez |
| Tom Hines | … | Nelson Davenport |
| Nicholle Tom | … | Teen Reporter Cassie |
| Patrick Noonan | … | Suki’s Cameraman |
| Ali Gage | … | Beach Reporter Ali |
| John Moran | … | Beach Photographer |
| Tanya DiFrancesco | … | Beach Reporter Tanya |
| Shannon Wilcox | … | Ball Reporter |
| Niloufar Safaie | … | Ball Reporter |
| Tonje Larsgard | … | Ball Reporter |
| Flora Chong | … | Street Reporter |
| Rueben Grundy | … | Street Reporter |
| Gwen Holloway | … | Street Reporter |
| Lori Sigrist | … | Twin Reporter |
| Terri Sigrist | … | Twin Reporter |
| Fat Louie | … | |
| Andy Arness | … | Teacher |
| Rene Auberjonois | … | Philippe Renaldi (voice) |
| Seth Belliston | … | Student |
| Ned Brower | … | Michael’s Band Flypaper |
| Cabran E. Chamberlain | … | Trolley Spectator |
| Carol DePasquale | … | Angry Mom |
| Elizabeth Dixon | … | Student |
| Jodi Essex | … | Model |
| Don Feldstein | … | Voiceover |
| Joe Finnegan | … | Police Escort |
| Jay Flats | … | Dancer |
| Quinn Hanchette | … | Busboy |
| Lance R. Jones | … | Lifeguard |
| Taylor Locke | … | Band Member |
| Carly Lyn | … | Private School Student |
| Lauren Maltby | … | Beach Student in Blue Dress |
| Troy Martin | … | Paparazzi |
| Meghan McGovern | … | Student |
| Larry Miller | … | Paolo |
| Alex Moore | … | Student |
| Nita Rainwater | … | Ballroom Dancer |
| Barry Ratcliffe | … | Cop #2 |
| Craig Richards | … | Student’s Father |
| Justin Root | … | Boarding School Student |
| Danny Ryder | … | Self – Mountain Biker |
| Brian Sampson | … | Trolley Spectator |
| Nicki Sixteen | … | Student |
| P.J. Stover | … | Reporter |
| Kevin Tash | … | Baseball Player |
| Terry Wayne | … | Clark |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia