Walt Disney Animation Studios has officially shelved its much-anticipated Tiana princess series, marking a significant pivot as the studio abandons producing original longform content for streaming platforms like Disney+, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The decision also sees the cancellation of an unannounced feature-length project intended for Disney+, with some layoffs expected at the studio’s Vancouver facility as a result of this strategic shift. A spokesperson confirmed the layoffs but did not specify numbers, citing the need to realign resources with new priorities.
First announced in December 2020, the Tiana series was envisioned as a musical celebration of Disney’s first Black princess, with Anika Noni Rose set to reprise her role from the 2009 film The Princess and the Frog. Despite high hopes and several creative team changes, sources close to the project revealed that escalating production costs and creative challenges prevented the series from meeting expectations. While the Tiana series won’t see the light of day, Disney remains committed to the character’s legacy. Last year, the company rethemed its Splash Mountain attractions at both U.S. parks into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which has been well-received by fans.
The decision mirrors broader trends within Disney’s animation divisions. Following last year’s news that Pixar would halt longform episodic content after releasing Dream Productions and Win or Lose on Disney+, Walt Disney Animation is now focusing on theatrical releases and shortform projects. The studio’s recent success with Moana 2, originally conceived as a series but reimagined as a theatrical film, underscores this shift—it grossed over $1 billion globally and is set to hit Disney+ on March 12, where it’s expected to draw massive viewership. Similarly, Pixar’s Inside Out 2 became 2024’s highest-grossing film with $1.7 billion, reinforcing that theatrical releases remain animation’s strongest arena.
While longform streaming content is on hold, Walt Disney Animation is exploring a shortform special inspired by The Princess and the Frog, currently in early development with Joyce Sherri attached as writer and director alongside Steve Anderson. Details are scarce, but it promises new storytelling rooted in the 2009 film’s world.
Looking ahead, Walt Disney Animation remains committed to releasing one theatrical film annually. Zootopia 2, directed and written by Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush alongside Byron Howard, is slated for November 26, 2025, with an unannounced feature set for November 2026 and Frozen 3 targeted for November 2027. Insiders say this refocus on cinema leverages Disney Animation’s strengths, prioritizing big-screen spectacle over streaming series—a strategy that recent billion-dollar successes suggest will keep audiences captivated for years to come.
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