Tiana series shelved at Disney

The cartoon series was canceled, according to The Hollywood Reporter, as part of Disney's broader strategy to shift its focus from producing original long-form content to short-form material, which the firm believes is more profitable. A Disney representative acknowledged to the source that the company's new business approach will result in layoffs at its Vancouver studio.

The show "could not get to where it needed to be given production costs," according to sources, although there are other reasons why it was canceled. The creative team underwent a number of adjustments in an attempt to keep Tiana on course.

According to Deadline, "We hear that a Tiana original special is now the focus, but it seems that a Tiana series had been stagnating creatively for a number of years." We have only seen one photograph from the projected Tiana series during the last four years because of that creative funk.

Tiana was initially scheduled for release in 2023, as we previously reported. Originally, the series, which would center on Tiana's new reign as Princess of Maldonia, was to be written and directed by Stella Meghie, director of Photograph.

Disney still views The Princess and the Frog as a valuable property even though the series is no longer being developed. After successfully rebranding its Splash Mountain attraction as Tiana's Bayou Adventure, Disney Parks opened it to the public last year. Black Disney fans have also praised the attraction for accurately capturing the legacy of New Orleans' cuisine and music.

Tiana's story-inspired special is "expected to feature all-new storytelling based on the 2009 film," which sounds both exciting and mysterious—especially since Disney isn't providing any additional information. Steve Anderson and Joyce Sherrí are directing from Sherrí's writing.