Walt Disney Animation Studios is officially stepping away from longform streaming content, and one of the biggest casualties of this shift is Tiana, which is the Disney+ series that was meant to bring back The Princess and the Frog’s beloved character in a new musical adventure.
Tiana was announced in 2020, and it was set to feature Anika Noni Rose reprising her role as Tiana. But despite multiple changes to its creative team, THR says the show struggled to reach a viable production point due to costs. As a result, Disney pulled the plug on the project, along with an unannounced feature-length Disney+ film.
The company’s pivot away from original streaming content also comes with some layoffs at its Vancouver studio. Instead, Disney Animation is refocusing its efforts on theatrical releases and shortform projects.
While Tiana is no longer happening as a series, the studio is developing a Princess and the Frog-inspired special, currently in early development. While there aren’t many details on that, it’s expected to feature new storytelling from director and writer Joyce Sherri, with Steve Anderson also directing.
Disney’s move follows a similar decision by Pixar last year, which deprioritized longform episodic content after the release of Dream Productions and Win or Lose.
During the pandemic, then-CEO Bob Chapek had pushed for more original streaming content to boost Disney+ subscriptions. However, recent box office successes have reaffirmed the company’s strength in releasing projects theatircially.
Moana 2, originally conceived as a Disney+ series, was reworked into a theatrical film, and it was a gamble that paid off with a billion-dollar global box office run despite how mediocre the film was. That success, along with Pixar’s Inside Out 2 grossing $1.7 billion in 2024, put theatrical animation as Disney’s top priority.
Going forward, Disney Animation is committed to releasing one major theatrical film per year, alongside shorts and special projects. Zootopia 2 is set to hit theaters on November 26, with newly appointed chief creative officer Jared Bush directing alongside Disney veteran Byron Howard.
There’s also an unannounced film is scheduled for November 2026, and Frozen 3 will follow in 2027.
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