# Disney casting backlash and film updates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/disney-casting-backlash-and-film-updates > Updated: 2026-08-20T10:15:43.000Z. Sources: 114. Developments: 10. Late June 2026 Disney announced simultaneous developments. Meg Cabot praised the *Princess Diaries 3* script and confirmed European filming; Anne Hathaway confirmed she will reprise Queen Mia Thermopolis and Adele Lim was tapped to direct. Singer Chloe Bailey described the racist online backlash her sister Halle faced after being cast as Ariel in the live-action *Little Mermaid*, citing Beyoncé’s advice to ignore hateful comments. July 1, Bailey discussed a personal incident on the *Call Her Daddy* podcast, highlighting the sisters’ support for each other. July 18-19 reports revealed a full creative reset for *Princess Diaries 3*. Hathaway said the original screenplay was discarded after a “story breakthrough,” requiring writers to start anew. She also announced she is pregnant with her third child, creating uncertainty about filming dates; no release schedule has been set. Disney retained director Adele Lim and writer Flora Greeson. In a July 19 SiriusXM interview, Hathaway reiterated the script rewrite and emphasized that the team feels confident about the new direction despite the delay. She added that her pregnancy and a packed schedule—including work on *The Devil Wears Prada 2* and *The Odyssey*—push production further back. On August 11, Julie Andrews confirmed she will not return for the third installment, stating she feels it is time for the story to focus on the character of Mia. During the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim on August 15, Anne Hathaway was inducted into the Disney Legends Hall of Fame. At the event, she expressed gratitude, stating, “I am here today because I’m one of the most insanely lucky people in the world.” Hathaway also addressed Julie Andrews’ absence from the film, noting that the production team “did push really hard to see if she would want to do it,” but they remain respectful of Andrews’ decision. ## Claims - Johnson is playing a character in his 70s known as the Chicken Man. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The film is based on a novel by Daniel Pinkwater. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Dwayne Johnson compared the film Lizard Music to Willy Wonka. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Dwayne Johnson is undergoing five hours of makeup daily for the role. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The plot involves a child discovering an island of sentient, musical lizards. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Kazu Hiro is providing the prosthetic makeup for the production. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The production is currently in its second week of filming. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Amazon MGM Studios' United Artists acquired the film rights. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-20: Anne Hathaway confirms Julie Andrews will not return for The Princess Diaries 3 Anne Hathaway confirmed that Julie Andrews will not return for ‘The Princess Diaries 3’, noting that while the team pushed for her involvement, they respect the veteran actress's decision to focus on other work 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anne-hathaway-confirms-julie-andrews-will-not-return-for-the-princess-diaries-3 ### 2026-08-18: Anne Hathaway honored as Disney Legend at D23 Expo At the D23 Expo, Anne Hathaway was named a Disney Legend and discussed 'The Princess Diaries 3', confirming Julie Andrews will not return for the sequel. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anne-hathaway-addresses-julie-andrews-absence-from-the-princess-diaries-3 ### 2026-08-15: Disney Legends: Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson and Jonas Brothers honored at D23 Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, and the Jonas Brothers were named Disney Legends at the D23 convention. The event also confirmed ‘Zootopia 3’ and discussed the upcoming ‘The Princess Diaries 3’. 60 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anne-hathaway-provides-update-on-the-princess-diaries-3-at-d23 ### 2026-08-11: Julie Andrews declines role in The Princess Diaries 3 Julie Andrews will not reprise her role as Queen Clarisse in ‘The Princess Diaries 3’, citing her retirement from on-screen acting and a desire for the story to focus on Anne Hathaway’s character, Mia. 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/julie-andrews-confirms-she-will-not-return-for-the-princess-diaries-3 ### 2026-07-26: Anne Hathaway confirms Princess Diaries 3 script in progress but production delayed Anne Hathaway says a new Princess Diaries 3 script is underway but production is delayed due to her busy schedule and pregnancy. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anne-hathaway-confirms-princess-diaries-3-script-in-progress-but-production-delayed ### 2026-07-19: Anne Hathaway Says Princess Diaries 3 Script Reset Amid Pregnancy Anne Hathaway says the Princess Diaries 3 script has been reset after a story breakthrough; her third pregnancy delays filming, with no release date yet. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/disneys-the-princess-diaries-3-gets-creative-reset-says-anne-hathaway ### 2026-07-02: Chloe Bailey opens up about cheating ex and sister Halle on Call Her Daddy Chloe Bailey discussed discovering a cheating ex and how she handled it, then spoke about public scrutiny and differing musical styles with sister Halle on the Call Her Daddy podcast. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chloe-bailey-opens-up-about-cheating-ex-and-sister-halle-on-call-her-daddy ### 2026-06-28: Princess Diaries 3 development receives strong endorsement from author Meg Cabot Meg Cabot praised the new Princess Diaries 3 script as “amazing,” with Disney confirming Anne Hathaway’s return and Adele Lim set to direct, though no release date is yet announced. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/princess-diaries-3-development-receives-strong-endorsement-from-author-meg-cabot ### 2026-06-26: Halle Bailey endures racist backlash over Disney's Little Mermaid casting, sister Chloe Bailey comments Chloe Bailey says the racist backlash to sister Halle’s casting as Ariel in Disney’s live‑action Little Mermaid broke her heart, but Halle’s strong performance proved critics wrong. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/halle-bailey-endures-racist-backlash-over-disneys-little-mermaid-casting-sister-chloe-bailey-comment ### 2026-06-26: Disney updates: Princess Diaries sequel development and sister support for Little Mermaid star Meg Cabot praises the latest script for Disney's upcoming Princess Diaries sequel, while Chloe Bailey discusses the backlash her sister Halle faced over her Little Mermaid casting. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/disney-updates-princess-diaries-sequel-development-and-sister-support-for-little-mermaid-star --- Cite as: Disney casting backlash and film updates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/disney-casting-backlash-and-film-updates