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Disney’s Newest Live-Action Remake Announced Following ‘Moana’s Box Office Failure
Disney is developing a new live-action project based on The Princess and the Frog, with actor Colman Domingo and Tony-nominated director Robert O'Hara attached to write the screenplay, according to Deadline. The announcement comes despite the poor box office performance of Disney's recent live-action Moana remake, showing the studio remains committed to reworking its animated classics even as results for such projects have been highly inconsistent, ranging from The Lion King's billion-dollar success to Snow White's disappointing returns.
Notably, the project is currently being described as an "untitled Princess Tiana movie" rather than a straightforward remake, suggesting it may tell a more original story centred on the character voiced by Anika Noni Rose in the 2009 animated film, rather than simply retelling the original plot. It follows other live-action projects Disney has in the works, including a revived Tangled remake and a Lilo & Stitch sequel directed by Chris Sanders, even as the studio has reportedly become more selective about which animated titles it chooses to reimagine.
In short
- Disney developing new Princess and the Frog live-action project
- Colman Domingo and Robert O'Hara set to write screenplay
- Framed as original Tiana story, not a straight remake
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Disney should continue developing live-action reimaginings of its animated classics because they represent a valuable opportunity to introduce beloved characters to new audiences through fresh creative interpretations. When executed thoughtfully—as suggested by the attachment of acclaimed director Robert O'Hara and the shift toward original stories rather than direct remakes—these projects provide talented artists with substantial resources to realise their vision. The commercial variability reflects differences in individual project quality rather than an inherent flaw with the concept itself; The Lion King's billion-dollar success demonstrates that audiences remain enthusiastically responsive when execution meets the cultural significance of the source material.
The case against
Disney should redirect investment away from live-action remakes given their fundamentally inconsistent financial returns and the opportunity costs to the studio. Recent high-profile failures including the Moana remake and Snow White's disappointing performance suggest audience fatigue with this strategy, making further investment increasingly risky. Rather than continuing to gamble on remakes of varying commercial appeal, Disney would better serve both creative ambition and shareholder value by developing genuinely original narratives and fresh stories rather than repeatedly relying on the familiar safety of established intellectual property.
Explained simply
For over a decade, Disney has converted many of its beloved animated films into live-action versions. These films have produced highly variable results at the box office – whilst The Lion King became a massive success, releases such as Snow White have disappointed audiences.
The Princess and the Frog is a 2009 animated film centred on Tiana, a character pursuing her dream of opening a restaurant in New Orleans. A new live-action project focused on this character is in development, with screenwriting from Colman Domingo and director Robert O'Hara.
Rather than simply remaking the original story beat-for-beat, this project appears designed to tell a different narrative featuring Tiana. Disney continues to invest in live-action versions of its animated catalogue, with results varying significantly depending on each film's reception.