Disney has officially announced the casting of Jenna Ortega and Simu Liu in the upcoming live-action adaptation of the beloved classic Princess and the Frog. To bring this classic into the modern era, the film is set to be directed by Jon Favreau, who previously directed Disney’s The Lion King and The Jungle Book.
Jenna Ortega, known for her roles in Jane the Virgin and You, will be playing the lead role of Tiana, a young woman who dreams of opening her own restaurant in 1920s New Orleans. Simu Liu, who recently starred in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, will be playing Prince Naveen, a charming but lazy prince from the fictional country of Maldonia.
“I am thrilled to be playing Tiana in the live-action adaptation of Princess and the Frog,” said Jenna Ortega. “Growing up, I didn’t see many characters on screen who looked like me or came from similar backgrounds, so it’s truly an honor to be part of a project that showcases the beauty and richness of different cultures and experiences.”
“…an honor to be part of a project that showcases the beauty and richness of different cultures and experiences.”
Simu Liu added, “I am honored to be joining this incredible cast and crew for ‘Princess and the Frog.’ This story is beloved by so many, and I am excited to help bring it to a new generation of fans. As an Asian actor, it’s not often that I get to see myself represented as a prince or a romantic lead on screen. So, being cast as Prince Naveen in Princess and the Frog is a dream come true. I hope that this film will inspire young people from all backgrounds to see themselves as heroes and heroines in their own stories.”
The live-action adaptation of Princess and the Frog will feature a mix of live-action and computer-generated imagery (CGI), and will include many of the classic songs from the original film, as well as new songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. He expressed his admiration for Newman’s musical talents and the impact that his music had on the film. In a 2018 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Miranda called Newman “a living legend” and said that he had been a huge influence on him and his work.
“We are thrilled to have Jenna and Simu join the cast of Princess and the Frog,” said Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman. “Both actors are incredibly talented and will bring their own unique energy to these beloved characters.”
The film is set to begin production in summer 2023, with a release date slated for summer 2024.
