In a move that signals a sophisticated evolution of Disney’s live-action strategy, the studio is reportedly looking to one of the most versatile and celebrated talents in contemporary Hollywood to breathe new life into one of its most beloved modern princesses. Colman Domingo, fresh off a streak of critical and commercial triumphs, is set to co-write an original live-action feature centered on Princess Tiana, the protagonist of the 2009 animated classic The Princess and the Frog.
This project, which is currently in its nascent stages of development, represents a significant departure from the standard "shot-for-shot" remake formula that has defined much of Disney’s live-action output over the last decade. Instead, sources indicate that Domingo will partner with Tony-nominated director and playwright Robert O’Hara to craft a story billed as a "spinoff" or an expansion of the Tiana mythos, rather than a direct retelling of the 2009 film.
Main Facts: A Creative Convergence of Stage and Screen
The announcement of this collaboration brings together two of the most formidable voices in modern theater and film. Colman Domingo’s involvement is particularly noteworthy, as it highlights his growing influence as a multi-hyphenate creator. While global audiences have come to know him as a powerhouse actor, Domingo’s roots are deeply embedded in the world of writing and production.
The Writers: Domingo and O’Hara
Colman Domingo is currently enjoying a career-high. He recently notched two Emmy nominations—one for his supporting role in Netflix’s Four Seasons and another for his guest turn in HBO’s Euphoria. This follows a historic run of back-to-back Best Actor Oscar nominations for his performances in Rustin (2024) and Sing Sing (2025). However, his writing credentials are equally impressive; he penned the book for the Broadway hit Summer: The Donna Summer Musical and has authored numerous acclaimed plays, including Dot, Wild With Happy, and A Boy and His Soul.
Joining him is Robert O’Hara, a visionary whose work often explores complex intersections of race, history, and identity. O’Hara is perhaps best known to the wider public for his Tony-nominated direction of Jeremy O. Harris’s provocative Slave Play. As a writer, O’Hara has garnered critical acclaim for Bootycandy and Insurrection: Holding History. His ability to blend sharp social commentary with theatrical flair makes him a compelling choice to help reimagine the world of 1920s New Orleans for a modern live-action audience.
The Project Scope
Unlike the live-action versions of The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast, which largely mirrored their animated predecessors, the Tiana project is being developed as a spinoff. This follows a growing trend at Disney—exemplified by the upcoming Gaston series (a Beauty and the Beast prequel) and Stepsisters (a Cinderella spinoff)—where the studio explores the lives of established characters in new, untold scenarios.
Chronology: The Legacy of the 2009 Classic
To understand the weight of this new project, one must look back at the historical significance of the original material. Released in 2009, The Princess and the Frog occupied a unique place in the Disney canon.
- 2009: The Return of Hand-Drawn Animation: Directed by the legendary duo John Musker and Ron Clements (the minds behind The Little Mermaid and Aladdin), the film was Disney’s last major foray into traditional, hand-drawn animation. It was a stylistic gamble at a time when CGI had become the industry standard.
- The Setting and Story: Set in the vibrant, jazz-filled streets of 1920s New Orleans, the film introduced Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose), a hardworking waitress with dreams of opening her own restaurant, "Tiana’s Palace." The plot, inspired by E.D. Baker’s The Frog Princess, subverted the classic fairy tale when Tiana’s attempt to break a frog prince’s curse resulted in her turning into a frog herself.
- Critical and Cultural Impact: The film was a landmark for representation, featuring Disney’s first African American princess. It earned $267 million at the global box office and received three Academy Award nominations, including Best Animated Feature and two nods for Randy Newman’s original songs ("Almost There" and "Down in New Orleans").
- 2024-2025: The Tiana Expansion: In recent years, Disney has doubled down on Tiana’s brand. The character recently became the centerpiece of "Tiana’s Bayou Adventure," a high-profile attraction at Walt Disney World and Disneyland that replaced Splash Mountain. The announcement of a live-action feature is the logical next step in cementing Tiana’s status as a top-tier Disney franchise.
Supporting Data: The Business of Live-Action Reimagining
The decision to move forward with a Tiana spinoff comes at a complex time for Disney’s live-action division. While the subgenre has been a massive cash cow for the studio, recent performances have sparked debate among industry analysts.
The Billion-Dollar Precedent
The "live-action remake" business remains a pillar of Disney’s financial strategy. In 2025, the live-action version of Lilo & Stitch proved the enduring power of the format, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. It joined an elite club of films that have successfully transitioned from 2D animation to live-action spectacles, such as Aladdin and The Jungle Book.
Market Volatility
However, the road has not been entirely smooth. The recent live-action Moana, starring Dwayne Johnson, faced intense scrutiny after a softer-than-expected opening weekend of $43 million in the U.S. and Canada. While the film has shown strong legs in its second weekend (retaining nearly 50% of its audience with a $20 million haul), the initial "underperformance" led some media outlets to question the longevity of the remake trend.
The Tiana project appears to be Disney’s answer to this fatigue. by pivoting toward a "spinoff" model rather than a direct remake, the studio can leverage the brand recognition of a beloved character while offering audiences a fresh narrative that isn’t beholden to the exact beats of the 12-year-old animated film.
The Domingo Effect
Adding to the project’s commercial viability is the sheer momentum of Colman Domingo himself. Beyond his critical accolades, Domingo is proving to be a box-office draw. He recently appeared as Joe Jackson in Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, which has just crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office. His involvement as a writer and potential creative architect brings a level of prestige that distinguishes this project from standard studio fare.
Official Responses and Creative Direction
While Disney has not yet released a formal production timeline or casting announcements, sources close to the project emphasize that it is in the "early days." Deals are still being finalized, and the creative direction remains fluid.
Representation and Talent
Representatives for Domingo (WME, Liebman Entertainment) and O’Hara (CAA, Weintraub Tobin Chediak) have confirmed their clients’ involvement in the development phase. The pairing of Domingo and O’Hara is being viewed internally as a "dream team" for a project requiring both cultural sensitivity and theatrical imagination.
The Randy Newman Factor
There is significant speculation regarding the musical direction of the film. The 2009 original was defined by Randy Newman’s Zydeco and Jazz-infused score. While it is unclear if Newman will return, the spinoff nature of the project suggests the potential for a mix of classic tracks like "Almost There" and entirely new compositions designed to showcase the live-action medium.
Implications: A New Era for Disney Storytelling
The development of the Tiana feature has broad implications for Disney, the careers of its creators, and the landscape of representation in Hollywood.
1. The "Spinoff" Pivot
This project may mark the beginning of a shift in how Disney handles its intellectual property. If the Tiana spinoff succeeds, it could pave the way for other characters to receive standalone live-action stories that expand their universes rather than just recreating them. This allows for more creative freedom and reduces the risk of "remake fatigue."
2. Colman Domingo’s Multi-Hyphenate Ascent
For Colman Domingo, this project is a definitive statement of his power in the industry. Moving from an Oscar-nominated actor to a writer for a major Disney tentpole places him in a rare category of artists who have a hand in both the performance and the foundational architecture of blockbuster cinema. It also ensures that the storytelling will likely possess the depth and nuance seen in his theatrical work.
3. Elevating Black Narrative in the Disney Canon
The 2009 film was a milestone, but it also faced some criticism for the fact that Tiana spent the majority of the movie as a frog. A live-action feature—especially one written by Black creators of Domingo and O’Hara’s caliber—presents an opportunity to center Tiana’s humanity, her entrepreneurial spirit, and the rich cultural tapestry of New Orleans in a way that feels contemporary and grounded.
4. The Live-Action Slate
Tiana joins an ambitious roster of upcoming Disney projects, including:
- Tangled: Currently filming with Michael Gracey directing and a cast including Kathryn Hahn and Diego Luna.
- Stepsisters: A Cinderella spinoff directed by Akiva Schaffer.
- Impossible Creatures: An adaptation of Katherine Rundell’s fantasy series.
As Disney navigates the mid-2020s, the Tiana project stands out as a potential jewel in its crown. By combining the star power and literary intellect of Colman Domingo and Robert O’Hara with the enduring charm of Princess Tiana, Disney isn’t just looking to make a movie—it’s looking to redefine the legacy of a character who has already made history once before. For fans of the original and newcomers alike, the journey back to the bayou promises to be "almost there" and well worth the wait.
