The scent of gumbo and the hum of 1920s jazz might soon be returning to the big screen, but this time with a live-action twist. Colman Domingo, the prolific Emmy winner and Oscar nominee, is currently in talks to co-write an original film centered on Princess Tiana, the beloved protagonist of Disney’s 2009 animated hit The Princess and the Frog. According to Deadline, the project will pair Domingo with Robert O’Hara, the acclaimed director known for his Tony-nominated work on Slave Play.
While the industry buzz is electric, sources emphasize that the project remains in the earliest stages of development. Both Variety and The Hollywood Reporter clarify that deals for the duo have not yet closed. Crucially, the film is not being positioned as a direct live-action remake of the original animated classic. Instead, it is being crafted as an original story inspired by the world and character first introduced in the 2009 film, which famously featured Anika Noni Rose as the voice of the aspiring restaurant owner Tiana.
A New Chapter for a Cultural Icon
The original animated film holds a unique place in Disney history as the studio’s final hand-drawn feature, directed by John Musker and Ron Clements. It was a significant commercial success, grossing $267 million globally and earning three Academy Award nominations, including nods for Randy Newman’s iconic tracks "Almost There" and "Down in New Orleans," as noted by Variety. Beyond the box office, Tiana’s cultural footprint has only expanded, evidenced by the recent retheming of the Splash Mountain attraction into "Tiana’s Bayou Adventure" at Disney World and Disneyland.
For Domingo, this venture is the latest peak in a "harvest period" of his career. Having already cemented a massive 2026 with the $1 billion-grossing musical biopic Michael and his work on Disclosure Day, The Four Seasons, and Euphoria, the actor is clearly moving into a space of creative expansion. As he noted while accepting Variety's Creative Conscience Award, he is intentionally stepping into the role of a "multi-hyphenate" who acts, writes, directs, and produces.
Navigating the Live-Action Landscape
The announcement arrives at a pivotal moment for Disney’s live-action strategy. As The Hollywood Reporter points out, the studio has experienced a wide spectrum of results with its recent adaptations. While Lilo & Stitch saw a record-breaking $183 million four-day domestic opening on its way to hitting $1 billion, other titles like 2025’s Snow White faced a more tepid reception with a $42.2 million opening. By choosing to develop an "original idea inspired by" the source material rather than a frame-by-frame remake, Domingo and O’Hara may be navigating a path that balances nostalgia with the need for fresh narrative stakes.
The collaboration between Domingo and O’Hara is not without precedent; the two previously teamed up for the 2012 presentation of Domingo’s Wild With Happy. Whether this creative synergy can successfully translate the magic of New Orleans’ bayou to a new generation remains the central question. For now, the industry watches as one of Hollywood’s most dynamic performers pivots toward the writer's desk, signaling a potential shift in how Disney approaches the adaptation of its most cherished animated legacies.
