Disney+ has shelved the planned animated musical series, Tiana, a continuation of the beloved film The Princess and the Frog, as confirmed by Deadline. This decision, made by Walt Disney Animation Studios, signals a shift in their strategy for Disney+ content.
While official comments from Disney were unavailable, inside sources indicate that the studio will now prioritise long-form animated features for the streaming platform. In a pivot, the focus has shifted to developing an original special featuring Tiana.
It appears that the Tiana series faced significant creative hurdles over several years, explaining the limited visual output, with only a single image released since its initial announcement four years ago. The project, which was unveiled in December 2020, was anticipated to see Anika Noni Rose return to voice the character of Tiana, Disney's first Black princess, a role she originated in the 2009 film.
The Princess and the Frog is set in 1920s New Orleans and narrates the tale of Tiana, a determined waitress with aspirations of owning her own restaurant. After kissing Prince Naveen, who has been transformed into a frog by the sinister voodoo practitioner Dr. Facilier, Tiana also becomes a frog. Their journey involves finding a way to reverse the spell before time runs out.
The original film boasted a talented voice cast, including Bruno Campos, Michael-Leon Wooley, Jim Cummings, Jennifer Cody, John Goodman, Keith David, Peter Bartlett, Jenifer Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, and Terrence Howard, alongside Rose. John Musker and Ron Clements directed the film, with Peter Del Vecho producing.
Musker and Clements, in collaboration with Rob Edwards, penned the screenplay. The story was crafted by Musker and Clements, along with writing team Greg Erb and Jazson Oremland.