Mandy Moore's Shocking Pitch For 'The Princess Diaries 3': Why Lana Thomas Needs A Redemption Arc
The world of Genovia may soon welcome back its most infamous high school bully, Lana Thomas, but with a twist. As of late 2025, actress and singer Mandy Moore has ignited massive fan excitement by confirming her enthusiastic interest in reprising her iconic role in the long-awaited The Princess Diaries 3, revealing she’s already pitched a brilliant idea for her character's return. The news comes amid ongoing discussions and development for the third installment of the beloved Disney franchise, suggesting that Mia Thermopolis’s former nemesis could become a surprising, and much-needed, ally.
Moore’s character, Lana Thomas, remains one of the most memorable high school mean girls in cinematic history, but the actress is ready to explore a more nuanced, grown-up version of the cheerleader. Her recent comments on a July 2024 podcast appearance—where she openly discussed the possibility of a "redemption arc"—have given fans hope that the next chapter will finally address what happened to the woman who coined the infamous line, "We're cheerleaders, we're not miracle workers."
Mandy Moore: Full Biography and Career Profile
Amanda Leigh "Mandy" Moore is an American singer-songwriter and actress who successfully transitioned from a teen pop star to a critically acclaimed dramatic actress.
- Full Name: Amanda Leigh Moore
- Date of Birth: April 10, 1984
- Place of Birth: Nashua, New Hampshire, U.S.
- Occupation: Actress, Singer-Songwriter
- Debut Single: "Candy" (1999)
- Film Debut (Notable): The Princess Diaries (2001) as Lana Thomas
- Breakthrough Film (Dramatic): A Walk to Remember (2002) as Jamie Sullivan
- Major Television Role: Rebecca Pearson in the NBC drama series This Is Us (2016–2022)
- Voice Acting Roles: Rapunzel in Disney’s Tangled (2010) and its subsequent series.
- Current Status: Continues to act and release music, with a strong focus on family life and select high-profile projects.
Moore’s career trajectory is a testament to her versatility, moving from bubblegum pop to serious drama, earning her a Golden Globe nomination and multiple Emmy nominations for her work on This Is Us. Her early role as Lana Thomas, however, remains a nostalgic touchstone for an entire generation of moviegoers.
The Iconic Mean Girl: Lana Thomas and Her Lasting Impact
When The Princess Diaries premiered in 2001, Lana Thomas was the quintessential high school antagonist. She was the popular, blonde, and perfectly coiffed cheerleader who made the life of Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) a living nightmare.
Lana's primary function in the film was to serve as a foil to Mia's awkward, pre-princess persona. She was responsible for some of the movie's most memorable, and cringe-worthy, moments, including the public humiliation of Mia on the bleachers and the famous "Lana's got a new look" scene, which involved a messy ice cream incident.
For Moore, the role was a pivotal moment, marking her first major feature film appearance. She was already a successful pop singer with hits like "Candy," and the transition to acting, even as a villain, cemented her status as a multi-talented teen idol. The character's over-the-top mean-spiritedness made her instantly recognizable, and she became a benchmark for high school movie bullies of the early 2000s.
Despite the character's cruelty, Moore has always looked back on the experience with fondness, often sharing sweet throwback photos with co-stars like Anne Hathaway and Heather Matarazzo.
Mandy Moore’s Pitch: Why Lana Needs a Redemption Arc in Princess Diaries 3
The most exciting and current development regarding Moore’s involvement is her desire for a "redemption arc" for Lana Thomas in *The Princess Diaries 3*.
During an appearance on Kylie Kelce's podcast, Not Gonna Lie, Moore was asked about returning to the franchise. She not only confirmed she would love to return but also agreed with the suggestion that Lana’s storyline should involve a significant change of heart.
The idea is simple yet compelling: decades after high school, Lana Thomas should not still be the same spiteful cheerleader. Life, parenthood, or career challenges would have humbled her, leading her to seek out Mia Thermopolis, who is now a reigning Queen of Genovia.
This narrative move would be a powerful way to update the franchise for a modern audience, addressing the idea that people can evolve beyond their high school personas. Moore believes Lana would need to have "grown and changed" and would be looking for a way to apologize for her past actions.
A redemptive storyline for Lana would provide a rich, dramatic contrast to her original role, allowing Moore to showcase the acting depth she developed on shows like This Is Us. It would also perfectly mirror the themes of growth and self-acceptance that defined the original film, but from the perspective of the former antagonist.
The Future of Genovia: Casting and Production Status
Mandy Moore's enthusiastic comments come at a time when *The Princess Diaries 3* is officially in development at Disney. While details remain scarce, the involvement of key original cast members is the biggest source of fan anticipation.
Anne Hathaway, who played Mia Thermopolis, has also publicly expressed her eagerness to return, confirming that a script is in the works. The potential reunion of Hathaway and Moore, who have both seen massive career success since the first film, is a major draw for the sequel.
The possibility of seeing Lana Thomas and Queen Mia Thermopolis interacting as adults—perhaps with Lana even seeking employment or a favor from the royal family—opens up countless comedic and dramatic opportunities. The sequel has the chance to explore adult friendships, forgiveness, and the long shadow of high school trauma, all while maintaining the whimsical charm of Genovia.
For fans of the original, the prospect of Lana Thomas finally getting her comeuppance—or, more accurately, her much-deserved redemption—is an exciting plot point. Mandy Moore’s proactive approach to her character’s return ensures that the mean girl of San Francisco's Grove High will be a central, and hopefully changed, figure in the next chapter of The Princess Diaries saga.
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