Good news for Disney fans, the first animated special inspired by The Princess and the Frog is still in active development at Walt Disney Animation Studios, director Stephen Anderson has confirmed. When asked about the project’s status, Anderson offered an encouraging update, saying the team is “working hard on it and having fun.”
The reassurance is welcome after a rocky development history that saw an earlier, more ambitious version of the project scrapped entirely. This confirmation signals that Tiana’s return to screens, in some form, remains on the table.
From Cancelled Series To Short-Form Special
Back in March 2025, Walt Disney Animation Studios officially shelved Tiana, a long-planned Disney+ musical series first announced in 2020. That project would have seen Anika Noni Rose reprise her role as Tiana for a grand new adventure as the newly crowned Princess of Maldonia. Despite several creative changes over more than four years, the series reportedly could not reach a place that justified its production cost, and its cancellation came as Disney Animation stepped back from long-form episodic streaming content.
However, the door never fully closed on Tiana. At the same time the series was cancelled, Disney confirmed that a separate short-form special inspired by the 2009 film was in early development, destined for Disney+. That is the project Anderson is now referring to, and his comments suggest it has continued moving forward behind the scenes.
Who Is Behind The Project
The special has Joyce Sherri attached as writer and director, with Stephen Anderson also directing. Anderson is a Disney veteran whose credits include Meet the Robinsons and Winnie the Pooh, giving the project experienced hands at the helm. While specific plot details remain under wraps, the special is expected to feature all-new storytelling set in the world of the original film.
The Princess and the Frog remains a key property for Disney. The 2009 film, directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, introduced Tiana as one of Disney’s canon princesses and has only grown in cultural significance since. Anika Noni Rose has remained closely tied to the character, even recording new material for the parks.
Tiana’s Legacy At The Parks
The character’s presence has expanded significantly in Disney Parks in recent years. Splash Mountain at both of Disney’s U.S. resorts was reimagined into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, bringing the New Orleans setting and characters to life in a major attraction overhaul.
For more on the project’s origins, TheWrap has the full report on the Tiana series cancellation and the animated special. Stay tuned here for updates as the special develops.
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