If there is one thing that everyone knows about the film industry it is this, Disney is an extremely beloved brand and a powerhouse in the business. For that reason, many of the movies they made several decades ago continue to be discussed regularly by film fans to this day.
A perfect example of a Disney movie that was released several years ago but still gets brought up regularly, The Princess Diaries holds a special place in the hearts of millions. In fact, one of the movie’s stars, Julie Andrews, has been very public about her desire to make a third Princess Diaries film even though she is an absolute legend who could rest on her laurels.
In Hollywood, most movies go through an extensive casting process long before the people involved make a final decision about the actors they hire. Of course, even though producers may consider several actors for a part, they only offer a role to someone once they are very serious about hiring them. For example, before Anne Hathaway was cast as The Princess Diaries’ Mia Thermopolis, another notable actor was offered the role.
Beloved Movies
These days, it often seems like a movie can’t become hugely popular unless it features a slew of special effects, a star-studded cast, and huge stakes. On the other end of the spectrum, The Princess Diaries told a relatively simple story in such a way that millions of viewers came to love the film and adore its main characters.
Focused on an unpopular teenager who suddenly finds out that she is a legitimate princess, the film focused on a fantasy that loads of people have all the time. After all, who among us wouldn’t love to find out that they are special for one reason or another? More importantly, the film has a powerful message that all of us already are special in our own way.
Star Making Role
During Anne Hathaway’s twenty-year career, there is no doubt that she has made her impact on audiences. For example, she has amassed enough of a following that millions of people follow her on Instagram where she often posts highly relatable things despite her celebrity status.
Of course, there is a very good chance that Anne Hathaway’s career never would have gone anywhere if she didn’t star in The Princess Diaries. After all, before Anne Hathaway was cast as The Princess Diaries’ Mia Thermopolis she’d never landed a movie role of any kind. Considering how much fun Hathaway’s performance in The Princess Diaries was, it proves that she was born to perform since it must have been scary to play the lead in her first film.
Speaking about The Princess Diaries during a BBC Radio 1 interview in 2019, Anne Hathaway said that working with Julie Andrews was “a dream” that she’s “never come down from”. Knowing how much The Princess Diaries meant to Hathaway’s career and life as a whole, it is a great thing that she got the chance to star in the film.
An Interesting Choice
Easily among the most talented actors of her generation, it is a crying shame that it has been so long since Juliette Lewis last received a role that is truly worthy of her skills. Sadly, she is a victim of the Hollywood system that more often than not ignores female actors once they are above a certain age unless they are extremely famous.
Arguably best remembered for her incredible performance in the Oliver Stone film Natural Born Killers, to say that Juliette Lewis committed to her role in that film is an understatement. Also stellar in a slew of other films, Lewis’ work in movies like Cape Fear, From Duck Til Dawn, and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is so good that they have to be seen to be believed.
Even though Juliette Lewis is so incredibly talented as an actor, that doesn’t mean that she seems like a perfect fit for every role. Perhaps that is why she turned down the opportunity to play Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries when the part was offered to her. After all, most of the characters that Lewis has played have an edge to them that Mia definitely lacked.
Despite the fact that Anne Hathaway was delightful in The Princess Diaries and Juliette Lewis seems like an odd fit for the film, it is fascinating to imagine how she would have played Mia. Especially since Lewis never mails in her performances and it might have been interesting to see a version of Mia that seemed a lot more street smart.
