Long-Awaited ‘Princess and the Frog’ Spin-Off Series Officially Canceled
In 2009, Disney released The Princess and the Frog, a film that reintroduced 2D animation to the Disney lineup and presented audiences with Tiana, the company’s first Black princess. Set in New Orleans, the movie followed Tiana’s journey as she pursued her dream of opening a restaurant, only to face significant obstacles along the way.
When Tiana kisses a prince who has been turned into a frog, she is unexpectedly transformed into one herself. With the help of her friends Ray the firefly and Louis the trumpet-playing alligator, she sets off on a journey through the bayou to break the curse and discover the true meaning of love and dreams.
Related: Disney Embraces ‘The Princess and the Frog,’ Incorporates It Into Iconic Railroad Attraction
The Princess and the Frog was met with critical acclaim and was heralded for its strong storytelling, memorable characters, and rich cultural representation.
Eleven years after its release, Disney made an exciting announcement for fans when it revealed plans to produce a Princess and the Frog series for Disney+. Titled Tiana, the series was expected to follow the newly crowned Princess of Maldonia as she embarked on exciting new adventures across the sea.
Originally scheduled for release in 2023, the premiere was delayed until 2024, and by the following year, Disney had removed all mention of a release time frame, leaving fans wondering what was going on behind the scenes.
Unfortunately, the series has now been officially canceled after a four-year delay.
The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the cancellation in an exclusive report that sheds light on Disney’s decision to halt the Tiana series. The publication cites a shift in Disney’s streaming strategy, which contributed to the shelving of the series, alongside another unannounced movie for Disney+ that was also in development.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney decided to scale back its long-form content creation on the streaming platform, halting several ambitious projects.
The report quoted sources close to the production, who explained that despite multiple attempts to make the series work—including several changes to the creative team — Tiana ultimately could not meet the production standards required, given the significant costs involved.
The decision to shelve the series followed Pixar’s announcement that it would no longer prioritize long-form episodic content after the releases of Dream Productions and Win or Lose on Disney+.
Sources close to the streaming series say that despite best efforts, including several changes to the creative team, Tiana ultimately could not get to where it needed to be given production costs.
The decision to shelve Tiana and the unannounced Disney+ movie follows last year’s news that Pixar would no longer prioritize developing longform episodic content after the release of Dream Productions and Win or Lose on Disney+.
This move marks a substantial shift for Disney as they recalibrate their approach to streaming content, especially after years of significant investment in original series and movies for Disney+. With shows like The Mandalorian and Loki bringing in strong viewership, Disney+ has increasingly focused on major franchise content.
However, Tiana failed to gain the traction Disney had hoped for.
Was a Failing Theme Park Attraction a Factor in the Series’ Cancellation?
In addition to the challenges Disney faced with the streaming series, the Princess and the Frog franchise has encountered issues in the theme parks, potentially contributing to the decision.
In 2020, Disney announced the closure of the beloved Splash Mountain ride at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, intending to reimagine it as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure based on the Princess and the Frog film.
The announcement was met with backlash from fans who had cherished Splash Mountain for decades. Protests and petitions to keep the original ride open spread like wildfire, and the re-theme became a point of contention for many Disney enthusiasts.
Despite this, Disney pressed forward, and in 2024, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially opened at Disneyland in November, followed by Walt Disney World in June.
Related: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Goes Viral for All the Wrong Reasons
Unfortunately, the new attraction has been plagued by frequent technical issues, including ride breakdowns and animatronic malfunctions. The constant technical failures have raised concerns among park guests, and the ongoing negative reception of the ride has added to the pressure surrounding the Princess and the Frog brand.
While the attraction’s struggles may not be the sole cause of the series cancellation, they likely did not help matters. The public relations hurdles caused by the ride’s issues may have contributed to Disney’s decision to pull the plug on Tiana, especially given that the show was designed to promote the expansion of the franchise.
What’s Next for Tiana and the Franchise?
Though the Tiana series has been canceled, Disney has not completely given up on the character. Instead of a full series, the company is shifting gears to develop an animated special for Disney+. The special will be helmed by Joyce Sherri, who had originally been tapped to write and direct the Tiana series.
The special will also be directed by Stephen Anderson, known for his work on Meet the Robinsons (2007).
This decision signals that while Disney may be pulling back from long-form content, they are still committed to continuing Tiana’s story in a more concise format. The animated special may not satisfy fans who were hoping for a full-fledged series, but it offers a new opportunity for Disney to keep Tiana in the spotlight.
What do you think about the cancellation of Tiana? Would you like to see more of Tiana’s adventures? Share your thoughts in the comments!
