Colman Domingo to co-write original live-action Princess Tiana film for Disney

Oscar-nominated actor and filmmaker Colman Domingo is set to bring Princess Tiana back to the big screen, with Disney developing an original live-action film centred on the beloved heroine from The Princess and the Frog.

According to Variety, Domingo is in talks to co-write the screenplay alongside acclaimed playwright and director Robert O'Hara, marking a fresh chapter for the Disney Princess rather than a straightforward remake of the 2009 animated classic.

The project will focus on Princess Tiana, Disney's first Black princess, but sources say it will tell an entirely new story inspired by the character instead of retelling the events of The Princess and the Frog.

The announcement comes after Disney shelved its long-planned Tiana Disney+ animated series earlier this year as part of a broader shift away from long-form streaming originals. Rather than abandoning the character, the studio appears to have pivoted towards a theatrical live-action feature.

Domingo, who has increasingly expanded his career beyond acting, recently said he has always wanted to be recognised as a multi-hyphenate creative.

"I've never wanted to just be an actor. I've always wanted to act, write, direct and produce," he said last month.

O'Hara is best known for his acclaimed stage work, including directing Slave Play, and has previously collaborated with Domingo in theatre. Their partnership signals that Disney is taking a fresh creative approach to one of its most popular modern princesses.

Released in 2009, The Princess and the Frog starred Anika Noni Rose as the voice of Tiana, a hardworking waitress in 1920s New Orleans who dreams of opening her own restaurant before embarking on a magical adventure with Prince Naveen after they are both transformed into frogs. The film earned three Academy Award nominations and introduced Tiana as the ninth official Disney Princess.

Disney has not announced a director, cast or release date for the live-action project, and negotiations with Domingo and O'Hara are still ongoing. However, the move underscores the studio's continued investment in expanding the stories of its classic characters through new live-action adaptations.