The Princess and the Frog: Live-action adaptation of Disney's animated hit in development
It is not supposed to be a traditional remake
Although "Moana" fell short of expectations at the box office, Disney apparently continues to believe in the potential of its live-action remakes of well-known animated hits. As reported by the industry magazine Deadline, a live-action adaptation of "The Princess and the Frog" is now also in development.
Unlike previous remakes, however, this will not be a classic remake of the 2009 animated film. Instead, Disney is planning a standalone spin-off that continues or expands on the story of the beloved main character, Tiana. Originally, a Disney+ series featuring the well-known character was planned, but its development was shelved last year.
In "The Princess and the Frog", Tiana works as an ambitious waitress in New Orleans and dreams of owning her own restaurant. When she kisses an enchanted prince, she turns herself into a frog. Together, the two embark on an adventurous journey through the swamps of Louisiana to break the curse and take control of their own future.
According to initial reports, "Euphoria" star Colman Domingo is in talks to serve as screenwriter. The actor rose to fame through his role in "Fear the Walking Dead", among other projects, and is now one of Hollywood's most sought-after stars. No release date or casting details have been announced yet. In addition to the new "Tiana" project, a number of other productions are currently in the works. These include the live-action adaptation of "Tangled", which is currently being filmed, the "Cinderella" spin-off "Stepsisters", and the sequel "Lilo & Stitch 2".
Disney's Live-Action Fever: The Most Famous Live-Action Remakes of Animated Classics
For more than a decade, Disney has been increasingly focusing on live-action adaptations of its most popular animated films. What began in 2010 with "Alice in Wonderland" has developed into one of the studio's most successful strategies. While some films were massive box office hits and received critical acclaim, others drew mixed reactions. Nevertheless, Disney remains true to its course and is already working on numerous other projects. With "Moana", which hit theaters in 2026, the series was expanded to include yet another well-known classic.
Alice in Wonderland: The Starting Point
The foundation for Disney's current wave of remakes was laid by "Alice in Wonderland" (2010), directed by Tim Burton. Instead of a classic one-to-one adaptation, Burton opted for an original take on the well-known story. With Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska as Alice, the film became a global box office hit, grossing over one billion U.S. dollars. This success convinced Disney to reinterpret other animated classics as live-action films.
Cinderella: A Magical Adaptation
"Cinderella" followed in 2015 and is still considered one of the most successful Disney live-action adaptations to date. Director Kenneth Branagh stayed true to the 1950 animated classic but gave the story more depth and emotional resonance. Lily James shone as Cinderella, while Cate Blanchett's portrayal of the wicked stepmother was one of the film's highlights. Many fans still regard this adaptation as a prime example of what a remake should look like.
The Jungle Book: A Technical Masterpiece
"The Jungle Book" (2016) marked another milestone. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film featured impressive CGI worlds in which nearly all the animals were digitally created. The film delighted both critics and audiences alike and even won an Oscar for its visual effects. To this day, "The Jungle Book" remains one of Disney's most successful and beloved live-action films.
Beauty and the Beast: A Musical Success
With "Beauty and the Beast" (2017), Disney brought one of its greatest animated classics back to the big screen. Emma Watson took on the role of Belle, while Dan Stevens played the enchanted prince. The film remained largely faithful to the original story but added some new songs and backstories. Audiences rewarded this with worldwide box office receipts of over one billion U.S. dollars.
Aladdin: Will Smith as the Genie
In 2019, Disney took on "Aladdin". The casting of Will Smith as the Genie, in particular, was met with skepticism at first. After the film's release, however, the actor won over many fans with his own interpretation of the legendary character. Naomi Scott as Jasmine and Mena Massoud as Aladdin rounded out the colorful adventure film, which also grossed more than one billion dollars worldwide.
The Lion King: Stunning Visuals, Mixed Reviews
"The Lion King" was also released in 2019. The film relied almost entirely on photorealistic computer effects and did away with real animals or sets almost entirely. While the production was technically impressive, many viewers criticized the digital animals for lacking the emotions of the original. Nevertheless, the film became one of Disney's most financially successful projects ever.
Mulan: A Different Approach
With "Mulan" (2020), Disney made a conscious decision not to create a direct copy of the animated film. It did away with musical numbers and the beloved dragon Mushu. Instead, the film placed greater emphasis on historical elements and spectacular action. Reactions were mixed, but Disney demonstrated that not every remake has to be identical to its source material.
The Little Mermaid
In 2023, Disney returned to one of the most popular animated films of all time with "The Little Mermaid". Halle Bailey took on the lead role and was particularly praised for her singing performance. The remake modernized some aspects of the story but remained faithful to the original overall and captivated audiences worldwide.
Lilo & Stitch
In 2025, "Lilo & Stitch" became another fan favorite to receive a live-action remake. The film combined live-action actors with a digitally animated version of the alien Stitch. Families in particular responded positively to the film, prompting Disney to already announce a sequel.
Conclusion
Disney's live-action remakes continue to divide opinion to this day. While films like "Cinderella", "The Jungle Book", and "Beauty and the Beast" are considered successful reinterpretations, other productions such as "The Lion King" and, most recently, "Moana" have been criticized for being too similar to the originals. Financially, however, the concept remains attractive for Disney. As long as audiences want to see their favorite classics as live-action films, the wave of remakes is likely to continue for many years to come.
