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Summary
- Fans have been eagerly awaiting a live-action remake of "The Princess and the Frog," featuring the first Black Disney princess, Tiana. The 1920s setting, jazz soundtrack, and CGI visuals would be perfect for a modern adaptation.
- While there haven't been any official announcements, rumors suggest that Disney may be developing the live-action remake behind the scenes. Lupita Nyong'o has been rumored to be in talks for the role of Tiana, but nothing has been confirmed.
among Disney’s modern remakes. With the 1920s setting of the movie, its swinging jazz-influenced soundtrack, and nefarious voodoo villain Dr. Facilier providing ample opportunity for some impressive hybrid CGI visuals. However, despite multiple teases over the years, there’s yet to be word on the live-action Princess and the Frog entering development.
There have been multiple rumors that hint Disney may be developing The Princess and the Frog live-action version behind the scenes, however. While there’s yet to be anything concrete, comments from Walt Disney Animation Studios chief creative officer revealed that conversations have happened in some capacity, and giving The Princess and the Frog the live-action remake treatment is at least on the studio’s radar. When the release date could arrive and what the story of the revitalized Tiana, Naveen, and Dr. Facilier will be, however, remains mysterious.
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Most Recent Live-Action Princess And The Frog News
There’s yet to be any official news from Disney on the status of The Princess and the Frog live-action remake. However, there have been casting rumors in 2023 which, while not substantiated, aren’t beyond the scope of possibility of the movie is being developed behind the scenes.
In August 2023 it was reported by various outlets that Lupita Nyong’o was in talks with Disney about playing Tiana in the live-action remake of The Princcess and the Frog (via ComingSoon.net). The casting is only rumored, with sources from “Disney insiders”, so it shouldn’t be taken as official. There have been many occasions where similar rumored castings turn out to be accurate, however.
Given Nyong’o’s work on 2019’s Us and as T’Challa’s once-lover Nakia in Black Panther it’s easy to see why Disney could see her as the future live-action Tiana. Until anything official is announced though it’s impossible to know for certain.
Disney’s Live-Action Princess And The Frog Isn’t Confirmed
Disney hasn’t officially confirmed The Princess and the Frog live action remake. Despite rumors that it’s in development circulating for a number of years there’s yet to be any confirmation that the live-action The Princess and the Frog is going ahead. In August 2023 Keith David, who voiced Dr. Facilier in the 2009 animated version, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to clarify that he’d heard nothing himself about the rumored remake.
The closest to a confirmation that there’s a live-action The Princess and the Frog movie in development came in January 2022. However, even this was far from an official green-light announcement from Disney. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the time, Jennifer Lee — Walt Disney Animation Studios chief creative officer and the creative mind behind Frozen — disclosed she would like to see the live-action Princess and the Frog movie on the cards in the future.
Since then there’s been no rumblings from anyone at Disney on the future of The Princess and the Frog remake, but Lee’s comments were enough to keep the rumor mill turning.
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Live-Action Princess And The Frog Cast
The live-action Princess and the Frog cast is unknown, and until Disney put the project into development it’s impossible to predict who would be in it. There were rumors that Lupita Nyong’o (Us, Black Panther) was being considered for playing the live-action Tiana. These reports have yet to be substantiated in any official capacity, however (and seem doubtful given that Disney still has yet to announce they’re moving forward with the project).
That being said, Lupita Nyong’o in The Princess and the Frog live-action cast would be a good fit, and it’s easy to imagine her stepping into the role of Tiana. Keith David voiced Dr. Facilier in the 2009 animated movie, and though he’s claimed he’s not been ed about a live-action remake he could easily reprise the role in person for The Princess and the Frog.
Bruno Campos (Nip/Tuck) voiced Prince Naveen in Disney’s animated version of the tale. However, since Campos is almost in his 50s and Naveen is in his 20s, Disney would have to make adjustments to the plot of the live-action The Princess and the Frog for him to reprise the role.
It’s likely that the cast of the live-action Princess and the Frog remake won’t feature many cast from the animated movies. Disney’s previous remakes, such as 2023’s The Little Mermaid or 2019’s The Lady and the Tramp, have all featured new cast , even for CGI characters still portrayed by voice actors. It’s likely the same will be true for Tiana’s tale if it ever goes ahead. However, certain actors, such as James Earl Jones as Mufasa in both version of The Lion King, have endured, meaning it’s entirely possible for some of the animated Princess and the Frog cast to return if Disney chooses.
Live-Action Princess And The Frog Story
The Princess and the Frog live-action movie would follow the animated film. Set in the 1920s, the plot focuses on waitress Tiana and her ambitions of one day owning her own restaurant. She ends up kissing Prince Naveen, who has been turned into a frog by Keith David’s voodoo witch doctor Dr. Facilier. Naveen convinces Tiana to kiss him, believing it will break the curse. Instead, however, Tiana is also turned into a frog.
Over the course of the movie the pair encounter a variety of talking animals including Louis, a trumpet playing alligator, and a Cajun firefly called Ray. Eventually the pair lift Dr. Facilier’s curse with the help of rival voodoo practitioner Mada Odie. Tiana and Naveen also develop feelings for one-another, and the movie ends with them happily together and on their way to New Orleans so Tiana can finally open her restaurant.
The plot of the live-action The Princess and the Frog will follow the same arc in theory. However, it will also likely make alterations as almost every modern Disney remake has so far. Until the movie is officially confirmed and a The Princess and the Frog live-action release date is announced, however, it’s impossible to know for sure.
