Observing that it isn’t just the external obstacles that the characters face, but also their own internal obstacles as well, Coolidge adds, “We all have a fear of love as well as a desire for it, and this film deals with that battle in a very honest way.”

Producer Mark Amin agrees. “We wanted to make a film about fantasy and wish fulfillment and make it plausible enough that audiences could allow themselves to believe it could actually happen,” says Amin. ..J think our charismatic stars, Julia and Luke, and the connection they shared onscreen, gives us all a renewed sense that a love like this is not only the stuff of dreams."

Winner of the 2001 Teen Choice Award for her role in “Save the Last Dance,” and garnering rave reviews for her recent performance in “Mona Lisa Smile,” Julia Stiles, who portrays Paige, says she found the similarities she shared with her character uncanny.

“When I first read the script, which I loved, I thought the writers had done some sort of research on me — that’s how amazingly similar I am to this character,” laughs Stiles. “Because we have so much in common, it’s that much easier to understand Paige’s psychology and why she makes the choices she does.”

Relative newcomer Luke Mably (“28 Days Later”) says he had the time of his life making the film. “To be this budding actor and to suddenly be portraying the Prince of Denmark, riding horses, kissing beautiful women and driving fast cars opposite an actress the likes of Julia Stiles has been a fairy tale within itself,” says Mably. “Straightaway from the screen test, Julia has just been brilliant and very supportive.”

Stiles herself says she was very impressed with Mably’s ability to take on such a demanding role as a prince. “Luke is a very genuine, honest person and he is extremely present in every scene. He’s not in his own world, like a lot of actors. It was a pleasure to work with him.”

With a cast of over 50, and two distinctive countries as the film’s backdrop, the filmmakers cast a wide net in search of their stars, with casting calls going out to Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, London, Denmark and Prague.

“From the onset, we all agreed Julia Stiles embodies the independent and modern young woman who Paige is,” remembers producer Mark Amin, who first had the notion for a romantic comedy like “The Prince & Me” after a female friend told him that one of her college classmates had actually turned out to be a prince from Holland. “And as for Luke, besides his obvious acting skills, we all knew we’d made the right choice when the number of young women who were coming to my office with various excuses suddenly tripled every time he was there.”

Director Martha Coolidge points out how Stiles’ own intelligence is very appropriate to the role she plays. "Julia understands the issues Paige is up against,” says Coolidge. “She’s very savvy about the character and knows the conflict between emotion and intellect that young women who are seeking careers face.”

Executive producer Cami Winikoff adds: “Julia just brings so much to the table; she is an amazing, responsible, mature young woman. As a Columbia University student herself, Julia is very driven, determined and focused — much like the character she plays in the film.”

Winikoff remembers how Luke Mably came aboard. "Martha Coolidge is great at discovering new talent. She called us from England and said ‘I found our Prince Charming; he’s incredible and he’s going to be a star!’ And she’s absolutely right.”

Recalls Coolidge: "When Luke walked in the room, I’d been imagining a certain kind of bad-boy quality that I wanted our prince to have. I also wanted him to be a little more streetwise than a real prince might be, but at the same time, I also knew that he had to be elegant. Luke is all that and more.”

As for the on-screen chemistry between Julia and Luke, Coolidge says it’s undeniable. “For a film like this, the most important thing is that the chemistry, the energy and the excitement between the two people has to be right. Julia and Luke not only look good together. but the electricity is there and it definitely comes across on screen.

To executive producer Robin Schorr, it is Coolidge’s remarkable gift for romance that makes "The Prince & Me” so special.

“Martha has this incredible gift for communicating the excitement, the beauty and the sweetness of first love,” says Schorr. “One of the most important things we wanted audiences to experience was the wonder of two people falling for one another for the very first time, and there’s nobody better than Martha to make that exhilaration come alive.”

In addition to Stiles and Mably, the filmmakers assembled a strong supporting cast, which includes Ben Miller as Soren. the prince’s beleaguered personal secretary. James Fox as the ailing Danish ruler King Haraald, and two-time Oscar® nominee Miranda Richardson as the intimidating and regal Queen Rosalind.

“Ben Miller has such a dry wit, and as Soren, he’s a wonderful foil for Eddie, his blue-blooded charge,” says producer Mark Amin. "As for Miranda Richardson and James Fox — two actors we’ve loved forever — they both have that believable touch of royalty and are practically European sovereigns themselves!”

Two-time Golden Globe winner and Academy Award® nominee Richardson attributes the success of "The Prince & Me” to director Martha Coolidge’s boundless energy and intelligence, adding that the film is "absolutely charming.”

Richardson’s king to her queen, James Fox, couldn’t agree more. "Actors are very lucky when it all comes together — a great script, a great director and a great cast,” says the British-born actor. “It’s a smart film and very funny as well.”

Providing much of the humor is the droll Ben Miller. Also hailing from England, Miller says he loves the arc his character Soren has, going from the prince’s by-the-book butler to his college sidekick. “There are a lot of hilarious scenes once Soren and the prince get to America,” recalls Miller. "In fact, they have a weird role reversal. While Soren ends up going a little off the deep end, the prince matures from an irresponsible rascal into a man fit to be king. It’s a wonderful film.”

As for casting Miller, Coolidge says simply, “He was so serious that he was the only one who made me laugh.”