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Anne Hathaway made her acting debut with the acclaimed 2001 coming-of-age filmThe Princess Diaries. It emerged as a major commercial success and laid the foundation for Hathaway’s ever-growing career. However, the actress wasn’t the first choice for the role she is now widely remembered for, with a franchise built around her character.
Earlier in production, another actress was considered for the role of Mia Thermopolis inThe Princess Diaries. Moreover, the actress in question had also received an Academy Award nod, proving her to be a solid option at least on paper. Here is what you need to know about the original choice for the movie and how it ended up as Hathaway’s breakout role.
Cape FearActress Juliette Lewis Was Considered ForThe Princess DiariesRole Before Anne Hathaway
ActressAnne Hathawayplayed the role of Mia Thermopolis, heir to the throne and Princess of Genovia in the 2001 coming-of-age dramaThe Princess Diaries. The film emerged as a box office hit and established Hathaway as one of the most promising talents in Hollywood.
However, before Hathaway, a different actress was the first choice for the role of Mia Thermopolis. According toreports, actressJuliette Lewiswas initially approached for the part. Lewis gained recognition for her role in Martin Scorsese’s 1991 thrillerCape Fear, starring Robert De Niro in the lead role.
The film was praised by critics andgrossed$182.3 million at the box office. It also earned Lewis an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, establishing her as one of the most sought-after actresses in the industry. However, Lewisreportedlyturned downThe Princess Diariesbecause she wanted to go after edgier roles.
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With Disney backing the movie,The Princess Diarieswas bound to be a family-friendly affair. As a result, it likely wasn’t a project that interested Lewis at the time. The actress most recently appeared as Natalie Scatorccio in the Showtime thriller seriesYellowjackets, gaining critical acclaim for the role.
Anne Hathaway Admitted to Being Typecast AfterThe Princess DiariesRole
Although Lewis turned down the part, Hathaway was eventually cast in the role, withThe Princess Diariesbecoming a hit with a $165.3 milliongross. It spawned a sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, which was also a box office hit.
Despite the success of the movies, Hathaway admitted that her time as Mia Thermopolis made it difficult for her to land different roles earlier in her career. During an interview withGlamourmagazine in 2013, the actress stated the following regarding her struggles:
Of course, after Princess Diaries, I was labeled a good girl, and for the first eight years of my career I had to fight to get any other kind of role.
Hathaway fought against typecasting and eventually diversified her filmography, proving herself a versatile actress.
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She won her first Academy Award in the Best Supporting Actress category for 2013’sLes Misérables. Hathaway also tasted commercial success with movies likeThe Dark Knight Rises. In October 2024, Hathaway wasannouncedto be returning to star and produce a third installment inThe Princess Diariesfranchise.
The Princess Diariesand its sequel are streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1774
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
