Why Chris Pine should definitely return for Princess Diaries 3

The Princess Diaries 3 is officially happening, bringing joy to the Millennials who grew up with the Anne Hathaway film franchise.

While fans of the teen movies are delighted that Hathaway is set to return for the new film there is one person they'd like to see return even more: Chris Pine. The actor appeared in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement as Lord Nicholas Devereaux, a dashing suitor for Mia Thermopolis until she realises he could be the one to usurp her throne.

The movie sees Mia and Nicholas clash on multiple occasions only to fall in love in the process, in a classic case of the enemies to lovers trope. It was a narrative that fans delighted in at the time, which is why they are so adamant that Pine must return for the next film.

It's understandable that fans feel that way because a third film wouldn't be the same without Pine, he's charming and fun, and the chemistry between him and Hathaway was through the roof the first time around. They certainly made for a better onscreen couple than Mia and Michael (Robert Schwartzman) who appeared in the original Princess Diaries film.

From their swoonworthy first kiss before falling into a fountain together to the Nicholas' confession of love to Mia in the closing moments of the film, which she reciprocated, there was a lot to love about the pair. It's no wonder it did when you take into consideration Bridgerton creator Shonda Rhimes wrote the screenplay for it based on a story she co-wrote with Gina Wendkos.

was the perfect happily ever after for the pair so getting to see Mia and Nicholas together again would be a great way to reintroduce viewers to the world. The couple could navigate whatever new challenges await them whether that's in relation to Mia's rule of Genovia or something more personal.

What is clear is that if Pine doesn't return then his absence would be felt, and the same can be said of Julie Andrews who beautifully embodied Mia's grandmother in the first two films.

The Princess Diaries 2 was Pine's feature film debut, and he has often spoke of it fondly in interviews. He has, however, been deftly avoiding speaking directly about whether he is appearing in the third film.

Speaking on the Today show on 8 October, Pine was asked about returning to the film where he said: "I don’t know anything, call Disney, call Bob Iger. The answer is I don’t know anything about it."

Similarly on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon he said it was "incredible" the franchise was coming back but added: "What I will say is it’s been twenty years but I have more people come up to me about that than anything I’ve ever done since. I’m very happy it was an incredible experience... unfortunately the first time I heard about it was when someone on the internet sent me a screenshot of Anne."

Regardless, fans of the franchise have come out in their droves on social media to share how much they want to see Pine return as Nicholas. One person wrote: "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Princess Diaries 3 has the power to heal our broken nation"

Another person wrote: "Legitimately, we need Chris Pine in Princess Diaries 3. I also think Shonda Rhimes should return to write it. Princess Diaries 2 is a romantic masterpiece and not enough people understand how deft her hand was with that film! The fountain scene is a tension-loaded perfection."

While another shared a scene of Mia and Nicholas' first kiss, writing: "No because Chris Pine NEEDS to answer the phone and come back for Princess Diaries 3 this kiss literally altered my brain chemistry I was never the same."

One person shared a fan edit of Pine and Hathaway in The Princess Diaries 2 and simple said: "CHRIS PINE ANSWER THE PHONE". So, it's safe to say that the people want Pine back as Nicholas, hopefully his avoiding of questions is an indication that he will be back, he just can't tell us yet.