Disney fans hoping to follow Princess Tiana’s next adventure on Disney Plus are in for a shock: the long-awaited animated series has been officially canceled as Disney abandons original longform content for streaming. Despite years of anticipation and a new Tiana-themed ride opening in the parks, the project has been shelved, with only a short-form special now rumored to be in early development-leaving Tiana’s future on screen more uncertain than ever.
The Tiana show was first announced back in 2020, alongside the Moana show. While the Moana show got retooled into a full theatrical sequel, the Tiana show got pushed multiple times, before being taken off the upcoming calendar entirely. Despite Disney Imagineers talking about how the new show would tie into the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction at Disney World (formerly known as Splash Mountain) last summer, it seems that the show is officially dead.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Disney is undergoing a shift in streaming strategy and moving away from longform content on Disney Plus. The Tiana show is allegedly getting retooled into a shortform special, whatever that means. Joyce Sherri, the most recent showrunner on the Tiana show, is set to direct and write.
Even though Splash Mountain’s whole big revamp was specifically designed around Tiana, Disney’s love for The Princess and the Frog only really sparked recently. From the time the movie came out in 2009 to 2020, it wasn’t as beloved by the company as some other more popular titles, like Frozen and Moana. Disney’s spotlight on Tiana only really picked up after the company announced that it would be replacing Splash Mountain with a Princess and the Frog-themed attraction. It was a call that came after many petitions to do so picked up traction during the 2020 Black Lives Matters protests, but a call Disney swears it had planned ahead of time.
When can I watch the new Marvel movie Kraven the Hunter in theaters?
The new Marvel movie Kraven the Hunter is set to be released in theaters on December 13, 2024. This release date follows several delays, as it was initially scheduled for October 2023 and later moved to August 2024 before the final adjustment to December.
The film will explore the origin story of Sergei Kravinoff, also known as Kraven, and is expected to portray him as an antihero rather than a traditional villain. Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars in the title role, with a supporting cast that includes Russell Crowe and Ariana DeBose.
Additionally, Kraven the Hunter will eventually be available for streaming on Netflix after its theatrical run.
What inspired the changes in Kraven’s backstory for the movie
The changes to Kraven’s backstory in the movie were inspired by several factors aimed at modernizing the character and making him more relatable and compelling as a film protagonist. Key inspirations and motivations include:
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Modern Setting and Relatability: The filmmakers shifted Kraven’s origin from his comic book roots as the son of a fallen Russian aristocrat to the son of a wealthy, modern-day crime boss. This update removes historical connotations tied to the Russian Revolution and Cold War, making Kraven’s story more accessible to contemporary audiences.
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Emphasis on Family Dynamics: The movie places greater focus on Kraven’s relationship with his abusive father, Nikolai, and his motivation to undo his father’s evil influence. This dynamic provides a more personal and emotional drive for Kraven’s actions, distinguishing him from his comic counterpart, who was more singularly obsessed with proving himself as the world’s greatest hunter.
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Revised Source of Powers: Instead of seeking out powers through a potion from Calypso, as in the comics, the film gives Kraven his abilities via a near-death experience involving a lion and a healing serum, blending the supernatural with a more accidental, fate-driven origin. This change frames Kraven as someone chosen by circumstance rather than ambition alone, adding depth and a sense of destiny to his character.
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Antihero and Conservationist Angle: With Spider-Man absent from Sony’s universe, Kraven is reimagined as an antihero who protects wildlife and hunts criminals, making him more sympathetic and suitable as a film lead. This shift is necessary to carry a solo movie and to appeal to audiences who might not connect with a traditional villain.
Overall, these changes were inspired by the need to adapt Kraven’s story for a modern audience, create a more nuanced and heroic character, and fit the requirements of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, which lacks Spider-Man as a central figure.
