Princess Diaries 3: Hector Elizondo says 'it's time to go back to Genovia'

Rumors have been swirling for years about the possibility of a Princess Diaries 3. Before his death earlier this summer, director Garry Marshall said he had met with stars Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews to discuss the possibility of reuniting Queen Clarisse and Princess Mia. Chris Pine, who played Mia’s love interest in Princess Diaries 2, has expressed his interest in returning. And now, Hector Elizondo, who played Mia’s bodyguard Joe, has confirmed that he’s on board, too.

Speaking to Variety Latino, Elizondo revealed he also spoke with Marshall before his death and would love to reprise his role as Joe.

In addition to starring in both Princess Diaries and its 2004 sequel, Elizondo played a role in 18 of Marshall’s films, including a Golden Globe-nominated role as hotel manager Barney Thompson in Pretty Woman. The actor and director’s friendship spanned more than three decades.

“We came from the same place, same time — New York City during the Depression (he was from the Bronx, I was from Manhattan),” Elizondo told TIME last month. “We were both lovers of music, drummers, and reading. He thought ladies were the superior gender, as do I. He was my best friend.”

And although Elizondo said he’s sad to consider the possibility of a Princess Diaries without Marshall, he also told Variety that he has some thoughts about who he’d like to step into the director’s chair.

“I’d love it to be a woman [director],” Elizondo added. “We don’t have enough of them. That would be nice. First, you have to have a good story. Whoever directs it has to understand the story. God knows there are female directors out there. That would be lovely. I’m sure they’ll come up with a more than competent director.”