Disney Develops Live-Action Film Focused on Princess Tiana from ‘The Princess and the Frog’
Disney’s live-action strategy has faced challenges recently, with ‘Moana’ struggling at the box office last week, reigniting discussions about whether these remakes have run their course. However, rather than slowing down, the studio seems to be adopting a fresh approach with its next project.
This new endeavor centers on Princess Tiana, the ambitious waitress from New Orleans featured in 2009’s ‘The Princess and the Frog’, which is notable for being Disney’s last hand-drawn animated film released in theaters. The story follows Tiana as she attempts to break a curse placed on Prince Naveen by the voodoo witch doctor, Doctor Facilier, only to find herself transformed into a frog.
According to Deadline, an original live-action film focused on Tiana is currently in early development at Disney, with Colman Domingo in discussions to co-write the screenplay. Domingo, who recently received two Emmy nominations, is expected to collaborate with Tony-nominated director Robert O’Hara, although no formal agreements have been finalized for either writer.
What sets this project apart from Disney’s typical live-action adaptations is its format. Multiple sources have confirmed that the film will be developed as a spin-off rather than a direct remake, allowing for an expansion of Tiana’s narrative with new, original content instead of simply retelling the 2009 film as seen in ‘The Little Mermaid’ or ‘Beauty and the Beast’.
This approach aligns the project with Disney’s upcoming ‘Gaston’ film, which also aims to expand the universe of a beloved animated character rather than merely recreating the original material. Given the mixed reception of the studio’s straightforward remakes, this shift towards original storytelling may be a strategic move to avoid audience fatigue.
Tiana’s narrative has already been revitalized outside the original film in recent years. Disney parks have replaced the controversial Splash Mountain ride with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, an attraction set after the events of the movie. Additionally, a planned animated Disney Plus series titled ‘Tiana’ was previously announced but ultimately canceled.
‘The Princess and the Frog’ grossed $267 million worldwide during its initial release and received three Oscar nominations, including Best Animated Feature, along with two nominations for Randy Newman’s songs ‘Almost There’ and ‘Down in New Orleans’. Anika Noni Rose voiced Tiana in the original film, but it remains uncertain whether she will be involved in this new live-action adaptation.
As the project is still in its infancy and deals for the writers are yet to be finalized, there is currently no timeline for when this new Tiana story might enter production. Given Domingo’s background as an accomplished playwright and O’Hara’s strong theatrical experience, this collaboration suggests Disney may be pursuing a narrative with significant dramatic depth rather than another typical crowd-pleaser.
What are your thoughts on Disney’s decision to take a spin-off approach instead of a direct remake for Tiana’s story? Who would you like to see cast in this new film? Share your opinions in the comments.