Well, y’all… they did it. Disney just hit cancel on Tiana, the long-awaited Princess and the Frog spin-off series. And let’s be real—this one stings. This was supposed to be a major moment—a musical follow-up to The Princess and the Frog, with Anika Noni Rose returning as Tiana and an all-star creative team behind it. Instead, it’s been scrapped as, according to The Hollywood Reporter, part of Disney’s decision to step away from longform animated content on Disney+.
Originally announced in 2020, Tiana was set to pick up after the events of the 2009 film, following the newly crowned Princess of Maldonia as she embarked on a fresh adventure while staying true to her New Orleans roots. Joyce Sherri (Midnight Mass) was tapped as the series’ lead writer and director, bringing her acclaimed storytelling background to the project. Meanwhile, Stella Meghie (The Photograph)—who was originally attached as writer and director—remained on board as an executive producer, alongside Jennifer Lee. Nathan Curtis was set to produce, ensuring that the magic of The Princess and the Frog lived on.
The series was initially scheduled for a 2023 release before being pushed to 2024. Now? It’s not happening at all.
Why Did Disney Scrap It?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Tiana struggled to get across the finish line despite best efforts—including several creative team changes. Production costs reportedly played a major role, but the real kicker? Disney Animation is pivoting away from producing original longform content for Disney+.
This decision also affects other projects. Alongside Tiana, Disney has shelved an unannounced feature-length film that was meant to debut exclusively on streaming. The change in strategy also means layoffs at Disney’s Vancouver animation studio, as the company doubles down on theatrical releases over streaming-exclusive content.
Disney’s Animation Shift: The Bigger Picture
For Disney Animation, the writing has been on the wall for a while. During the pandemic, the company leaned heavily into Disney+ to boost subscriber numbers. But now that theaters are back in full swing, Disney is realizing that animation thrives best on the big screen. Just look at Moana 2, which started as a Disney+ series before pivoting to theaters—where it grossed over $1 billion worldwide. Then there’s Inside Out 2, which shattered records with $1.7 billion in global earnings.
Disney isn’t abandoning animation, but it’s shifting focus. Going forward, the studio plans to release one theatrical film per year, alongside shorts and special projects. Upcoming films include Zootopia 2 (November 26, 2025), an unannounced feature (2026), and Frozen 3 (2027).
Is There Any Hope for Tiana?
While the Tiana series won’t see the light of day, Disney isn’t letting go of the Princess and the Frog franchise entirely. The studio is currently developing a shortform special inspired by the film, with Joyce Sherri still attached as director and writer. It’s in early development, so details are scarce, but it suggests that Disney still sees value in Tiana’s story—just not as a full series.
Plus, let’s not forget Disney’s recent investment in Princess and the Frog. Last year, the company rebranded its Splash Mountain attraction into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at both Disneyland and Disney World. Clearly, Tiana is still a major part of the Disney brand—but fans hoping for a deeper dive into her story will have to settle for theme park rides and short specials instead of a full-fledged series.
A Missed Opportunity?
For many, this cancellation feels like a missed opportunity. Not only was Tiana set to be the first Disney animated series led by a Black princess, but it also marked a return to the world of traditional hand-drawn animation—something Disney fans have been begging for.
Instead, Disney has decided to shift its focus, and Tiana is now another project lost in the shuffle. It’s a reminder that, even in a world where franchises reign supreme, not everything makes it to the finish line.
So what do y’all think? Was Disney right to cut Tiana, or did they just fumble what could have been something special? Let’s talk about it.