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Tiana was caught between two eras. The Princess and the Frog sequel series was caught between the streaming gold rush, where no expense was spared, and the inevitable contraction period. The series is now going to be a special on Disney+. The special will be directed by Joyce Sherri and Meet the Robinsons/Winnie the Pooh director Stephen Anderson. (Listeners of The Zach Perilstein Show learned about Stephen Anderson’s involvement first.)
There has been a lot of discussion about the switch. Mainly, fans are questioning Walt Disney Animation and why the series wasn’t just turned into a theatrical film. First off, I think a lot of people in this space gave false hope that it was a possibility after Moana 2.
Moana 2 was lightning in a bottle. The series was ahead of Tiana in terms of development, Disney had an open release slot, and Moana was skyrocketing in popularity. It was the perfect storm. For Tiana, if that series were pivoted to a film. It wouldn’t be as fast a turnaround, and it would likely have to be the second Walt Disney Animation film in a year and in a different release slot. With a new original film in 2026 and more Frozen on the way, Disney, I guess, didn’t want to do it. They also probably wanted to avoid a Tiana film coming out and not doing well either. Essentially, they are protecting the IP.
The other reality is that a Tiana series would cost more than what it would bring back to Disney+. Maybe Disney could’ve just used it as a way to restock the content cupboard, especially as its original streaming slate dwindles. However, this was the same case for the Moana Disney+ series, but these projects wouldn’t bring in new subscribers. If you’re a fan of Moana and Tiana, you’re already subscribed to Disney+.
Yet, Princess and the Frog/Tiana fans have the right to feel a bit frustrated. The property just got an attraction in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Usually, that means a property is going to get more chances to shine, not less. Some are questioning why Disney would utilize The Princess and the Frog in an attraction but not feel confident enough to give it a new film. It’s a legitimate question, and I would love to see how someone at Disney could answer that.
Walt Disney Animation is shifting its strategy and longform animation is just too expensive for the studio. Walt Disney Animation wants to keep up the momentum from Moana 2 with Zootopia 2, the untitled original film, and the next two Frozen films. Maybe the Tiana decision will become clearer as the new CCO Jared Bush reveals Disney Animation’s new slate. Maybe there simply wasn’t room for the project to exist as a longform series or film on this current slate.
I am very confident in the Tiana special, though. It’s going to be an exciting project to watch when it comes out. After all it’s still a joy that we’re getting the special.
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Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
