From Luke Skywalker to Aragorn: 10 Ordinary Characters Who Find Out They’re Royalty
In ‘Jupiter Ascending,’ a lowly cleaning lady (Mila Kunis) is informed that she is in fact intergalactic royalty – and the proper ruler of Earth. Have a look at some of the movies’ other unsuspecting monarchs.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) is not told of his kingly destiny until he is 20 years old. Of course, this happens long before the 'Rings' saga begins, but the Ranger keeps his secret until he decides to blow Sauron's mind with it.
Return of the Jedi (1983)
When Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) learns that Princess Leia is his twin sister, he might well wonder, "Does this make me Prince Luke?" Sticklers may point out that his mother was an elected queen and Leia was adopted into royalty. Sticklers need to chill.
The Princess Diaries (2001)
Anne Hathaway, in her big screen debut, stars as a dorky San Francisco teen who, according to her grandmother (Julie Andrews), is heir to the throne of Genovia -- a fictional European principality. The quintessential “rags to royalty” movie.
King Ralph (1991)
This comedy was a sort of precursor to ‘The Princess Diaries,’ as a slovenly American (John Goodman) becomes King of England after the royal family is wiped out in a freak accident. Peter O’Toole more or less has the Julie Andrews role.
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
Speaking of Ralphs, in this case – spoiler alert! – Wreck-It Ralph’s teensy sidekick Vanellope von Schweetz overcomes her memory wipe and learns that she's Princess Vanellope – the proper ruler of her arcade game, Sugar Rush.
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Disney has a thing for stories about characters unaware of their royal lineage. In this animated classic, Princess Aurora has her name changed to Briar Rose and grows up among humble woodcutters, all to evade Maleficent's curse.
Tangled (2010)
Disney’s version of Rapunzel could sympathize with Princess Aurora. Kidnapped by the nasty Mother Gothel, who locks her up and raises her as her own, the long-haired heroine has no idea that she’s a princess until a thief helps her escape.
The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)
Here’s another despot kept captive in a tower. Based on the Dumas tale, Leonardo DiCaprio stars as the evil King Louis XIV and his (fictitious) twin Philippe, who is masked and imprisoned for years before the Three Musketeers finally rescue him.
Anastasia (1997)
Inspired by the urban legend, this animated musical has Tsar Nicholas II's daughter Anastasia losing her memory after Russia’s Communist revolution, then realizing a decade later that she's the Grand Duchess. Lenin spins in his grave.
Excalibur (1981)
The future King Arthur (Nigel Terry) only learns of his destiny when he yanks the titular sword out of its stone. One of the best of the many films based on Arthurian legend, thanks to Nicol Williamson’s witty Merlin and Helen Mirren’s wicked Morgana.
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