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 The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement Production Notes“Dear Diary, So much has been going on. I finished college! I graduated from Princeton where I studied Political Science. Now I'm off to Genovia! This is just the latest, exciting change in my life, one of a bunch I've gone through in the last few years.” Princess Mia
Five years have passed since the smash hit “The Princess Diaries” ended, now the fun begins as Mia (Anne Hathaway) has matured into a stunning, young woman and is ready to assume her role as princess of Genovia.
But no sooner has she moved into the Royal Palace with her beautiful, wise grandmother Queen Clarisse, (Julie Andrews) than she learns her days as a princess are numbered - Mia's got to lose the tiara and immediately take the crown herself. As if getting ready to rule wasn't enough, the stakes for Mia have never been higher - with Genovian law stating that princesses must be married before being crowned, Mia is in for a parade of suitors who'd all like to be her king.
About The Production
In the quest for a groom, comedy and complications rule the day as the cast and filmmakers behind the first film, including director Garry Marshall (“Pretty Woman,” “Runaway Bride”), return for this hilarious comedy.
“We were very proud of `The Princess Diaries,' recalls director Garry Marshall. “I felt strongly that there was a place for a G-rated picture with live action that was funny, and it became a success with kids and with parents. We had a kid's story with a lot of adult humor floating through it, so everybody could enjoy it.”
“I think `The Princess Diaries' struck a chord with audiences,” says producer Mario Iscovich. “It fulfills a bit of fantasy, fun and a fairy tale feeling, wrapped around some form of reality. It's a departure from so many films out there today which are more violent or `edgy'- `The Princess Diaries' offered heart and good values.”
“In addition to the wish fulfillment element, what set the film apart was the story of a young girl's empowerment,” adds producer Debra Martin Chase. “It gave everyone the message that you have the power within yourself to be anything you want to be, to make your wildest dreams come true.”
“I think people respond to stories they can relate to, characters who remind them of themselves, or who give them hope and inspiration,” notes Anne Hathaway.
In “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement,” the filmmakers have incorporated the heart and humor from its predecessor in following the further adventures of Mia Thermopolis, the bright, slightly awkward San Francisco teenager and reluctant royal who gained poise and self-confidence under the tutelage of her grandmother, Queen Clarisse. In the intervening years, Mia, now a self-assured young woman, has graduated from college and has grown to embrace her Genovian heritage. She is about to take the biggest journey of her life, leaving everything behind to move to Genovia, where her grandmother, Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews) awaits her at the royal palace.
“Mia is a lot more confident now, a very self-possessed young lady,” notes Hathaway. “In this film, Mia discovers she may be expected to compromise her beliefs and values in order to become Queen of Genovia, and she has to learn to define her own boundaries. Within that struggle, she gains a tremendous amount of self-esteem.”
Although she is already a college graduate, Mia has a lot of learning left to do, as she begins a crash course in Genovia's customs, history and laws under the instruction of her loving grandmother and staunchest supporter, Queen Clarisse.
“In this film, Princess Mia takes the journey from young woman to adult,” says producer Debra Martin Chase. “She has to dig deep inside herself to realize that she can rule a country-this is real business, real responsibility, with a country full of people depending upon her-that's daunting for a young woman of 21. In the beginning of this film, we see the Genovian Parliament in session, and they treat the young American girl rather condescendingly, but when she returns armed with knowledge, she has power. I think if you're going to make a difference, to be the best person you can be, it's invaluable to learn that knowledge is your best weapon. In Mia's case, there is much more to her royal role than beautiful dresses, jeweled tiaras and palaces.”
In “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement,” one of Mia's biggest obstacles is a centuries-old Genovian law that states a princess must be married in order to become queen. With thirty days to find a groom, Mia must endure a seemingly endless parade of would-be suitors from all over the world.
“Mia faces the prospect of an arranged marriage in order for her to be queen,” explains Garry Marshall. “So they have to find some candidates, young men, who might be suitable to marry Princess Mia.”
Two young suitors, Andrew (Callum Blue) and Nicholas (Chris Pine) in particular, pique Mia's interest: “She is fond of one of these boys; one of them could help her become queen and help her run the country; while the other one is an adversary who is trying to take over her job,” says Marshall. “It's a conflict of story, and a conflict of the heart.
“We take you to a brand new world in this picture, with a great cast and a lot of laughs,” says Marshall. “And I think Princess Mia is a good example of how self-confidence, education, commitment, athletic ability, and not giving in to fear are all important for anyone. Being attractive or having good hair doesn't necessarily translate into being a good human being or a successful human being, but believing in yourself is invaluable.”
“Key to the success of the film,” declares Marshall, “…was the incredible talent of Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews, and our wonderful supporting cast, so I'm very excited that they are back on this film.”
The cast of “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” features a select ensemble of veteran actors, rising young stars and talented newcomers.
Young actress Anne Hathaway, whose memorable portrayal of Mia Thermopolis in “The Princess Diaries” was a key element in its enormous popularity, notes that, although her character has matured, Mia still has some awkward moments in “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement”: “Mia is a lot more self-assured now, but she's still kind of klutzy, which is my fault more than Mia's,” laughs Hathaway. Garry likes to film me when I fall down and then include it in the film for millions of people to watch!” Hathaway credits her director with a great deal of guidance in the further development of her character:
“I have to go on record as saying that Garry Marshall is one of the greatest people on the planet. He was so supportive in helping me discover who Mia has become,” says Hathaway. “I just love him-it may sound cheesy, but I've kind of blossomed under his wing in this film.
“She is a terrific actress-she's bright, and she's brave; and she'll try anything physical,” says Garry Marshall of Hathaway. “Anne has a beautiful face that takes a close-up better than most actresses in the world-when you look in her eyes, somebody's home…that makes a movie star.”
The return of legendary entertainer Julie Andrews was a thrill for the filmmakers, cast and crew.
“Julie Andrews is a pleasure to work with. She's done thousands of movies and she is such a veteran professional,” says Garry Marshall. “She makes everything elegant, and she's a great sport. She can deliver lines that nobody else could make funny, and she does it effortlessly.”
“She's just fantastic, she's royalty, a lady with a capitol `L,'” adds Hathaway. “She knows how to make people laugh. When you're on a Julie Andrews set, she is the hostess, and she makes sure she knows everyone. She's completely gracious, and so witty and funny, and her great ideas always make a scene better. I have learned so much from her.”
Andrews sees her character, Queen Clarisse as “practical, very down-to-earth, but slightly eccentric. She is a very good monarch in that she cares so much for her country and its people, but she's also slightly wacky, and perhaps a bit naïve and innocent in some ways.”
Andrews reveals that Princess Mia may not be the only character experiencing romance in “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement”: “The interesting thing from the first movie is that lots of children have asked me `Are you and Joseph going to get together?',” says Andrews. “The first movie hinted at a relationship between Clarisse and Joseph, but in this film we develop that. It's a very sweet relationship-they have their little fights and tussles, but they're very, very fond of each other.”
“Joseph tries to maintain a certain decorum, an aristocratic tone in his position as the Palace's chief of security-unfortunately, he didn't count on falling in love with the Queen,” says Elizondo. “We will see their romance blossom a bit, but not without some trouble along the way.”
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Anne Hathaway and Callum Blue in The Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement.