Chief Creative Officer of Disney Animation Studios Jennifer Lee has stated that viewers will experience a side of Tiana they haven’t seen before in the upcoming Disney+ series.
The premiere of the Tiana series, originally scheduled for 2023, has been postponed until at least 2024.
The show will be written and directed by Stella Meghie, while Anika Noni Rose will reprise her role as Tiana.
Jennifer Lee, Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, recently discussed the studio’s efforts to expand the universes of beloved Disney films like Moana and The Princess and the Frog in an interview with eCartelera. There will be a “new direction” for Tiana, she added, one that fans haven’t seen before.
Tiana first appeared in us in The Princess and the Frog, a Disney film from 2009. The movie was co-directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. The classic fairy tale “The Frog Prince” was retold. Anika Noni Rose played Tiana, Bruno Campos was Prince Naveen, Keith David was Dr. Facilier, Michael-Leon Wooley was Louis, Jennifer Cody was Charlotte La Bouff, and Jim Cummings was Ray.
Back in 2020, Disney announced that Tiana would debut on Disney+ in 2023. However, the release of the new animated series has been pushed back until 2024. Tiana’s show will be directed and written by Stella Meghie. A cast member from Dreamgirls will reprise their role in the sequel.
Disney promises a fresh journey for the Princess of Maldonia in the upcoming musical.
For Jennifer Lee, the new Disney+ series “is a new world, a new direction, and a new voice for her.”
During their conversation, Lee shared her enthusiasm with the media:
The fact that Disney+ encourages us to both go forward and reflect on our past is one of the many reasons I subscribe. Bringing combines joy and innovative story telling. That way, we can spend more time enjoying Disney+’s offerings. The Moana series is fantastic, and we’ve had a blast making it. In Tiana, she finds a new home, a fresh start, and a powerful new voice. To begin tinkering with things that are important to many of us, I think this is a fantastic starting point.
And for me, it’s also knowing that there’s no turning back,” the Tiana show’s producer continued. Going on, I can only improve. What fascinates me most is how modern tools have helped animators maintain interest in the golden age of the medium. The follow-ups and primary plots complement one another nicely. Films like Frozen and Zootropolis will have sequels because their creators have big plans for their plots.
A live-action adaptation of The Princess and the Frog is also rumored to be in the works, with Oscar winner Lupita Nuez being considered for the role of Tiana. However, Disney has neither confirmed or denied these reports, and there will not be a live-action adaptation of The Princess and the Frog.
Disney+ subscribers may already see The Princess and the Frog, but Tiana hasn’t revealed when the film will make its streaming debut.