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A Powerhouse Collaboration in the Works
Disney appears to be assembling quite the creative team for its upcoming Princess Tiana live-action project. Sources indicate that Emmy winner and Oscar nominee Colman Domingo is in negotiations alongside acclaimed playwright and director Robert O'Hara to pen the screenplay for a new film centered around the beloved character from "The Princess and the Frog." While the project remains in early development at the studio, the pairing of these two accomplished artists signals ambitious intentions for the adaptation.
Drawing From a Beloved Animated Classic
The proposed film would take inspiration from Disney's 2009 animated musical "The Princess and the Frog," which introduced audiences to Tiana. a determined young waitress in 1920s New Orleans who dreams of opening her own restaurant. The original film, featuring Anika Noni Rose's iconic voice performance, was a commercial success earning $267 million worldwide and receiving three Academy Award nominations, including Best Animated Feature and recognition for Randy Newman's memorable songs "Almost There" and "Down in New Orleans."
The character of Tiana has only grown in cultural significance since her debut, becoming the first Black Disney princess. Disney acknowledged her enduring popularity by transforming the controversial Splash Mountain attraction into "Tiana's Bayou Adventure" at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, demonstrating the character's commercial and cultural value to the company.
Colman Domingo's Monumental Moment
The timing of this potential project finds Domingo at a remarkable professional peak. The actor-writer-director-producer is celebrating what promises to be a blockbuster 2026, with his involvement in "Michael". the Michael Jackson musical biopic that has surpassed $1 billion globally, making it the highest-grossing musical biopic ever. He also has "Disclosure Day" arriving this year, along with continued work on HBO's "Euphoria" and the Netflix series "The Four Seasons," the latter earning him two additional Emmy nominations.
During his acceptance of Variety's Creative Conscience Award, Domingo reflected on his evolving status in Hollywood, noting that he's finally being recognized as the multi-hyphenate he's always aspired to be. "I've never wanted to just be an actor," he shared. "I've always wanted to act, write, direct and produce." This latest development certainly aligns with that vision, as Domingo is also set to direct, produce, and star in the Nat "King" Cole biopic "Unforgettable" later this year.
Robert O'Hara Brings Theatrical Expertise
O'Hara, best known for his provocative work directing the Broadway hit "Slave Play". which earned him a 2020 Tony nomination for Best Direction of a Play. brings substantial theatrical credentials to the collaboration. His partnership with Domingo isn't entirely new; the two previously worked together on Domingo's play "Wild With Happy," presented by The Public Theater in 2012.
This isn't O'Hara's first foray into Disney storytelling either, as his distinctive dramatic voice could help elevate the project beyond a simple animated-to-live-action translation. The combination of Domingo's rising Hollywood star power and O'Hara's bold theatrical sensibilities could produce something genuinely special for the character.
What's Next for the Project
No official details about plot, casting, or timeline have been confirmed, with Disney declining to comment on the reports first broken by Deadline. However, given the success of recent Disney live-action adaptations and the cultural importance of Princess Tiana, fans will surely be watching this development closely. The pairing of Domingo and O'Hara suggests the studio is aiming for a thoughtful, artist-driven approach rather than a straightforward cash-grab remake.
