Oh, the heartache of anticipation dashed! Disney+ has cruelly decided to axe the eagerly awaited animated series featuring Tiana. According to The Hollywood Reporter, this termination is part of Disney's broader shift away from crafting original long-form content and a pivot towards short-form content, which the company deems more profitable. A Disney spokesperson confirmed to the outlet that layoffs are imminent at their Vancouver studio, a dire consequence of this new business strategy.
There are further underpinnings to this tragic demise of the series; insiders whisper that the skyrocketing production costs rendered the series unviable. Desperate attempts to keep Tiana's journey on course involved numerous shuffles within the creative team. Deadline reported, "With a Tiana original special now stealing the spotlight, it seems the series had been creatively stagnant for years. This creative lull is precisely why we've only glimpsed a solitary image from the proposed Tiana series over the past four years."
As we previously chronicled, Tiana's debut was penciled in for 2023, with director Stella Meghie originally entrusted to pen and helm the series, centering on Tiana's reign as the Princess of Maldonia. Alas, despite the series' cessation, Disney still views The Princess and the Frog as a potent franchise. Last year, Disney Parks renamed its Splash Mountain attraction to Tiana's Bayou Adventure, welcoming hordes of visitors and earning accolades from Black Disney fans for its authentic portrayal of New Orleans' musical and culinary heritage.
The special, inspired by Tiana's tale, promises "all-new storytelling rooted in the 2009 film," an intriguing yet enigmatic prospect, especially given Disney's reluctance to divulge further details. Joyce Sherrí and Steve Anderson are steering the ship from a script penned by Sherrí.
