AJK gears up for second phase of elections

“The Princess Diaries” remains one of the most beloved coming-of-age films of the century, but its long-awaited third instalment just lost one of its biggest stars. Dame Julie Andrews has confirmed she won’t be part of it. The 90-year-old actress played Queen Clarisse Renaldi opposite Anne Hathaway in the original films. She has now revealed she’ll be sitting out the upcoming sequel entirely. Speaking to Today, Andrews confirmed directly that she will not appear in the new instalment. She explained that the story appears to be taking a somewhat different direction this time around. She admitted she isn’t entirely sure how the filmmakers plan to handle that shift. According to her, the timing simply doesn’t work for her to be part of it anymore. Andrews said she believes the story now belongs to Princess Mia, Hathaway’s character, rather than her own. She framed the decision as a natural handoff, letting the franchise continue through its central character instead. Her comments have already sparked disappointment among longtime fans of the franchise. One user online said the script would need to be exceptional now, arguing the film has lost one of its strongest draws. For many, Andrews’ presence was a defining part of what made the earlier films so beloved. Fans had been hoping to see her return to the big screen after years away from major on-screen roles. Since stepping back from acting, Andrews has largely shifted toward voiceover work instead. Her absence from “The Princess Diaries 3” marks another sign of that ongoing transition away from live-action performances. While the news has left fans emotional, it also puts more attention on how the new film will carry the story forward. With Andrews stepping aside, all eyes are now on how the franchise reintroduces its world without one of its most iconic characters.

Tom Holland believes playing Spider-Man comes with a responsibility that goes well beyond the movie theatre. The actor opened up about this at the Los Angeles premiere of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, speaking to People about what the role means to him. Holland reflected on how many young fans grow up watching the franchise. He said the biggest responsibility that comes with making these films is ensuring kids always have someone worth looking up to. He was quick to clarify that this admiration is not meant for him personally, but for the character of Peter Parker himself. Holland spoke about his own connection to the character, admitting that he had looked up to Peter Parker long before he ever played him. He said the character has been a personal role model since childhood, and that feeling has only grown stronger since taking on the role. He added that he does not take this responsibility lightly, calling it something genuinely important to him. Holland is the third actor to bring Peter Parker to life on the big screen. He followed in the footsteps of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, both of whom played the iconic web-slinger before him. Each actor has brought a slightly different take to the role, but the character’s core values have remained largely the same across all three versions. Spider-Man: Brand New Day officially released in theatres worldwide on July 31, 2026, marking another chapter in Holland’s long run as the beloved superhero. The film arrives with high expectations from fans who have followed his journey as Peter Parker since his debut in the role years ago. For Holland, though, the appeal of the character clearly goes beyond box office numbers or franchise milestones. His comments suggest a deeper personal investment in what Spider-Man represents, especially for the younger audiences who watch these films and see a bit of themselves in Peter Parker’s journey. As the film makes its way to audiences everywhere, Holland’s reflections offer a glimpse into how seriously he takes the responsibility of playing one of pop culture’s most enduring and relatable superheroes.