Tiana’s journey in the Disney universe has taken an unexpected turn. Plans for a Princess and the Frog Disney+ sequel series have officially been scrapped, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Originally announced in 2020, the Tiana series was set to bring back Anika Noni Rose as the beloved princess, continuing her story beyond the events of the 2009 animated film.
Sources indicate that the series struggled creatively and didn’t justify the high production costs. Even with changes to the creative team, including Princess and the Frog writers Ron Clements and John Musker and contributions from directors Stella Meghie and Joyce Sherri, the show never reached a point where Disney was confident in moving ahead. Instead, a short-form special inspired by The Princess and the Frog is reportedly in early development, though details remain scarce. Joyce Sherri and Steve Anderson are attached to direct, with Sherri also writing, but it is unclear if Rose will reprise her role as Tiana in this new project.
The decision to cancel Tiana aligns with Disney’s recent shift away from long-form animated content on Disney+. Last year, Pixar announced it would no longer prioritise streaming-exclusive projects, focusing instead on theatrical releases. This change followed the surprise reworking of Moana 2, which began as a Disney+ series before being repackaged as a full theatrical sequel. While reviews for Moana 2 were mixed, the film’s global box office earnings exceeded US$1 billion, reinforcing the studio’s decision to refocus on theatrical releases rather than Disney+ originals.
Disney’s restructuring of its streaming content strategy has been an ongoing process. Under former CEO Bob Chapek, Disney+ rapidly expanded its content library in an effort to boost subscriber numbers. That approach shifted when Bob Iger returned to lead the company, emphasising profitability over rapid content expansion. As part of this strategic pivot, animated series like Tiana became casualties of budget reassessments, despite their cultural significance and built-in fanbases.
The timing of Tiana’s cancellation is particularly notable given the recent opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the ride that replaced Splash Mountain at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. With a major theme park attraction dedicated to Princess and the Frog, many expected Disney to push forward with additional Tiana-centered content. Instead, the franchise’s future now remains uncertain beyond the short-form project currently in development.
Despite not reaching the financial heights of Disney’s biggest animated blockbusters, The Princess and the Frog holds an important place in the studio’s history. As Disney’s first Black princess, Tiana’s story resonated with audiences and remains a milestone in animation. While a theatrical sequel never materialised, a Disney+ continuation seemed like a natural way to build on her story. Now, with the series shelved, fans are left wondering when or if they’ll see another chapter in Tiana’s journey.
While Disney has yet to announce any new Princess and the Frog projects beyond the rumored short-form special, the character’s lasting impact suggests she won’t disappear entirely. Whether in future animated features, theme park expansions, or even new streaming content, Tiana’s story remains one that audiences want to see continue. For now, though, her return to the screen is on hold, leaving fans with little more than speculation about what comes next.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
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