‘Tiana’ Writer/Director Pitched a Live-Action ‘Princess and the Frog’ to Disney

Princess and the Frog is getting a resurgence of love at Disney. A new series sequel series, Tiana, is in the works from writer/director Stella Meghie. The film will also be featured prominently in a brand new Splash Mountain overlay at multiple Disney theme parks. However, before Tiana was a thing at Disney+, Meghie had different plans for the IP.

In a profile for Walt Disney Animation Studios CCO Jennifer Lee, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Meghie wanted to develop a live-action adaptation of Princess and the Frog. “Meghie reached out to Disney’s live-action studio about a potential film adaptation of the 2009 property. Nothing came of it, but last summer Meghie received a call from her agent indicating that Lee wanted to meet her.”

Read: ‘The Aristocats’ Live-Action Adaptation in The Works at Disney

Now, I will say, the idea of a live-action Princess and the Frog has floated around Disney for a few years now. There have been production grids making the rounds prepping members of talent that this could be happening. Whether or not the grid is from Meghie’s original idea remains to be seen. That said, I believe Disney will tackle a live-action adaptation sooner rather than later, especially with the property’s resurgence and the fact that the Disney live-action remakes have been financially successful for the studio.

Released in 2009, Princess and the Frog follows hardworking and ambitious, Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) who dreams of one day opening the finest restaurant in New Orleans. Her dream takes a slight detour when she meets Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), who has been turned into an amphibian by evil Dr. Facilier. Mistaking her for a princess and hoping to break the spell, Naveen plants a kiss on poor Tiana — thereby turning her into a frog as well. The pair hop along on an adventure through the bayous to seek the help of a powerful voodoo priestess.

In the upcoming Disney+ series, Tiana sets off for a grand new adventure as the newly crowned Princess of Maldonia, but a calling to her New Orleans past isn’t far behind. Anika Noni Rose is set to reprise her role as the iconic Disney Princess. Tiana will begin streaming on Disney+ in 2023.

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