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Live-Action Tiana Movie in the Works at Disney with Award-Winning Writers
We’ve got some absolutely magical news straight from the bayou! If you thought Disney might slow down on their live-action projects after recent box office bumps, think again. But this time, they are trying something completely fresh, creative, and highly requested.
According to a new report from Deadline, Disney is actively developing an original live-action movie centered on Princess Tiana from the 2009 animated classic The Princess and the Frog.
Even more exciting? The studio is currently in talks with two-time Oscar nominee Colman Domingo (Sing Sing, Rustin, Euphoria) and Tony-nominated Broadway director and playwright Robert O’Hara (Slave Play) to co-write the screenplay!
Unlike the traditional, scene-for-scene remakes like The Little Mermaid or the recently released Moana, this untitled Princess Tiana project is being billed as an original live-action spinoff.
Instead of watching Tiana and Prince Naveen turn into frogs and navigate the Louisiana swamp all over again, this film will tell a brand-new story expanding Tiana’s world. It’s a creative strategy similar to the live-action Gaston project Disney also has in the works.
Why this matters: Tiana spent a massive portion of the original 2009 film in her frog form. A live-action spinoff gives Disney a chance to keep Tiana in her human form, showcasing her life, her thriving restaurant Tiana’s Palace, and her adventures in 1920s New Orleans.
This creative pivot comes at a crucial time. Following underwhelming box office returns for the live-action Snow White and Moana, audiences have signaled a bit of “remake fatigue.” Crafting a fresh story with an established, beloved character like Tiana might be exactly what the House of Mouse needs.
Princess Tiana has been getting a massive amount of love across the Disney ecosystem lately. While the previously announced Disney+ animated series Tiana was unfortunately shelved last year as Disney scaled back on long-form streaming projects, her presence in the theme parks is bigger than ever:
- Tiana’s Palace Restaurant opened to rave reviews at Disneyland in 2023.
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially replaced Splash Mountain at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, keeping her story moving forward.
Because the project is in its absolute infancy, negotiations are still ongoing, and no official cast, director, or release date has been set. However, fans on social media are already dreaming up their perfect cast lists, with names like Coco Jones and Jayme Lawson swirling around for the titular role of Tiana. Some are even hoping that multi-hyphenate creator Colman Domingo might step in front of the camera to play the villainous Shadow Man, Dr. Facilier!
We will be keeping a very close eye on this project as it develops. What do you think about an original live-action movie starring Princess Tiana?
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