Anne Hathaway is diving back into her filmography in a major way. Hot on the heels of The Devil Wears Prada 2 crushing the box office and a third Princess Diaries movie in development, the Oscar-winning actress is taking a behind-the-scenes role for a fresh take on one of her earliest fantasy films. Disney+ has officially greenlit a series reimagining of Ella Enchanted, the 2004 cult classic that starred Hathaway as a princess cursed with obedience.
According to reports, the new show will not be a straightforward remake. Instead, it takes a page from Netflix's Wednesday playbook by shifting the setting to a boarding school. While Gail Carson Levine's original 1997 novel briefly touches on Ella's school days, the upcoming series will make that the central focus. Hathaway, who played the title role in the film, will serve as executive producer. The project is being written by Ilana Wolpert (Anyone But You), with Beth Schwartz (Dead Boy Detectives) attached as showrunner.
What Was 'Ella Enchanted' About?
The original film follows Ella of Frell, a princess who at birth is given the dubious 'gift' of obedience by her bumbling fairy godmother, Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox). This curse forces her to obey any command, leaving her vulnerable to her cruel stepmother (Joanna Lumley) and nasty stepsisters (Lucy Punch and Jennifer Higham). Ella's journey takes a romantic turn when she meets Prince Char (Hugh Dancy), but their path is blocked by Char's evil uncle (Cary Elwes), who has murdered the king and seized the throne. Directed by Tommy O'Haver (Get Over It), the film was a loose adaptation of the novel and initially flopped both critically and commercially. However, it has since amassed a devoted fanbase, earning its status as a beloved cult classic.
Released by Miramax—then owned by Disney—the film's rights are now controlled by Paramount, but Disney is moving forward with the series for its streaming platform. This isn't the first time a fantasy property has found new life after a rocky start; for instance, Warcraft's streaming redemption shows how a failed fantasy franchise starter found life on Netflix. Similarly, the most satisfying fantasy show finales ever prove that even troubled series can end on a high note.
A New Chapter for a Cult Classic
The decision to reimagine Ella Enchanted as a boarding school series reflects a broader trend in fantasy TV, where familiar stories are given fresh spins to attract modern audiences. With Hathaway's involvement as executive producer, the project carries the star power and creative insight of someone who knows the material intimately. Fans of the original film will be curious to see how the series expands the world, while newcomers may be drawn in by the Wednesday-esque premise. As Disney+ continues to mine its library for nostalgic IP, this series could become a standout—especially if it captures the charm and wit that made the original a fantasy film that only gets better with every rewatch.
No casting or release date has been announced yet, but with Hathaway's recent box office success and the enduring popularity of the source material, this is one project to watch. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for updates on this and other fantasy TV developments.
