# Disney Develops New Animated Special for The Princess and the Frog The studio expands its 2009 franchise through a new animated project on Disney+. - **Source:** [Gizmodo](https://brifing.si/source/63382431-cef0-4c41-883e-2f88dc21351e) - **Published:** 2026-11-01 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/387416d8-ec73-4a1a-ad32-b3b0bd3436db ## New Animated Special Production Walt Disney Animation Studios is currently in active production on a new special set within the world of the 2009 film The Princess and the Frog. CCO Jared Bush confirmed the project is moving forward, featuring a full story that brings back the original cast to perform brand new musical songs. ## Shift From Series Format This project follows the cancellation of a previously announced animated series centered on the character Tiana. While that production faced significant challenges, the studio is now pivoting toward standalone specials. This format allows Disney to revisit established worlds without the long-term commitment or high-risk overhead associated with a full television series. ## Strategic IP Franchise Management Disney is actively experimenting with how it manages its older intellectual properties. By utilizing animated specials, the studio creates a middle ground between high-budget live-action remakes and traditional sequels. This approach allows for creative exploration while maintaining a lower financial risk profile for the company when distributing content directly to Disney+. ## Leveraging Nostalgia for Growth The studio recognizes that nostalgia remains a powerful driver for audience engagement. With The Princess and the Frog approaching its twentieth anniversary, this special serves as a timely content release. It could potentially function as a promotional bonus alongside a theatrical re-release, maximizing the brand value of the original 2009 musical comedy. ## Experimental Content Delivery Models Jared Bush indicated that this special is part of a broader strategy to test new content formats. By producing stories in similar veins, Disney aims to satisfy audience demand for character updates while maintaining production flexibility. This model provides a testing ground for future projects that may not warrant full-scale theatrical investments. ## Broader Disney Media Strategy Beyond this specific animation project, Disney is exploring various avenues to monetize its library. Recent business moves include licensing deals with Netflix for Pixar titles and evaluating potential asset acquisitions from companies like Character.AI. These diverse efforts reflect a company-wide push to optimize content distribution across multiple platforms and external partnerships. ## Live-Action and Animation Synergy The studio is simultaneously pursuing multiple directions for The Princess and the Frog. While the animation team develops this special, reports suggest Colman Domingo is involved in a separate live-action effort. This dual-track approach highlights Disney's intent to keep the franchise relevant through both traditional animation and modern live-action interpretation. ## Future Outlook for IP The success of this special will likely influence how Disney approaches other legacy titles in its vast catalog. By focusing on lower-risk, high-engagement animated content, the studio can sustain brand interest over time. Observers should monitor how these experimental specials perform on Disney+ to gauge the future of the studio's legacy content. ## Sources covering this story - https://gizmodo.com/a-princess-the-frog-special-will-eventually-hit-disney-2000833518 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._