The Princess and the Frog 2 (2025) is an exciting prospect for fans of the 2009 Disney animated film The Princess and the Frog. The original film introduced audiences to Tiana, a hardworking young woman who dreams of opening her own restaurant, and Naveen, a prince turned frog, in a vibrant, jazz-filled, New Orleans setting. Given the film’s strong reception and Tiana’s popularity as Disney’s first African-American princess, a sequel would be a chance to explore her life after becoming a princess and the ongoing adventures of her, Naveen, and their friends. Here’s a speculative breakdown of what The Princess and the Frog 2 could bring:

Story:

Tiana’s New Life as a Princess:
- The Princess and the Frog 2 could pick up with Tiana and Naveen living happily together. Tiana’s dream of opening her own restaurant has been realized, and she now faces the challenges of managing both her royal responsibilities and her business. As a princess, Tiana might struggle to balance the demands of the royal court and her personal ambition to continue growing her restaurant empire. She might also feel pressure from both the royal family and the people of New Orleans, trying to prove she can be both a successful businesswoman and a compᴀssionate princess.
- Tiana could find herself involved in new royal matters, perhaps a larger political or social issue that affects the kingdom, testing her skills as a leader and her commitment to her community.
The Return of Dr. Facilier:
- A possible antagonist for The Princess and the Frog 2 could be Dr. Facilier, the sinister witch doctor from the first film, or his lingering influence. Although defeated in the first film, it’s possible that his dark magic and connections to the shadow world have left some remnants of his power behind. A new, even darker villain could arise from Facilier’s legacy, bringing trouble to Tiana’s world and possibly threatening the harmony she’s worked so hard to build.
- The theme of dark magic could play a major role in the sequel, as Tiana and Naveen are forced to deal with supernatural forces once again. This could lead to a new adventure, possibly involving a journey to a different realm or an ancient curse that affects the royal family.
Family and Community:
- The sequel could delve deeper into Tiana’s relationships with her family and friends. Mama Odie, the wise and quirky voodoo priestess, could return to offer guidance and magical ᴀssistance when things go awry. Tiana’s bond with her father and her connection to the people of New Orleans could also be explored more deeply as she learns how to balance her royal duties with staying grounded in her community.
- The film might also explore the dynamics between Tiana and Naveen, highlighting how their relationship continues to grow as they face new challenges together. They could be forced to confront the realities of their different backgrounds—Tiana’s hardworking, self-made nature and Naveen’s royal upbringing—and find common ground.
New Adventures and Characters:
- The sequel could introduce new characters who bring fresh challenges to Tiana’s world. New friends, rivals, or even creatures from the magical realm could add to the richness of the story. For example, Tiana might come across a new group of magical beings or encounter a larger kingdom that needs her help, expanding the scope of her adventures beyond New Orleans.
- The film could also include a new magical item, location, or artifact tied to Tiana’s heritage or the world of voodoo, introducing new lore and expanding on the world-building of the first film.
Tiana’s Personal Growth:
- A major theme in the first film was Tiana’s self-discovery and the realization that success doesn’t just come from hard work, but also from love and community. In the sequel, Tiana’s journey could focus on her evolving role as a leader, both in her family and in the kingdom. She might learn to let go of some of her burdens and embrace the full scope of her responsibilities, learning that being a princess doesn’t mean she has to sacrifice her personal dreams or the love she shares with Naveen.
- Tiana may also have to grapple with new personal goals, such as growing her restaurant into a larger business or using her influence for social good. The film could explore the evolution of Tiana’s leadership and her ongoing struggle to inspire others through her own example of hard work, integrity, and compᴀssion.

Characters:

Tiana: As the central character, Tiana’s growth and development will remain central to the sequel. Her evolution from a hardworking young woman to a princess will continue, with themes of responsibility, self-empowerment, and leadership explored in depth.
Naveen: Tiana’s charming and somewhat carefree husband will also have a key role in the sequel, possibly showing his own journey of personal growth as he adapts to life as a prince and navigates the pressures of royal life with Tiana by his side.
Mama Odie: The wise, quirky voodoo priestess from the first film could return to offer Tiana guidance and magical help, especially as she faces new magical and supernatural threats.
Dr. Facilier: The original antagonist’s dark magic could continue to influence the world of the sequel, whether through the return of Facilier himself or through the emergence of a new villain or magical threat tied to his legacy.
Ray: The lovable firefly from the first film, Ray, could make a return, either in spirit or as a guiding force, providing both comic relief and heartfelt moments.
Louis: The trumpet-playing alligator could return as Tiana’s loyal friend and ally, contributing both to the music and the comedic moments of the film.

Visuals and Animation:

The animation in The Princess and the Frog 2 will likely continue the beautiful, hand-drawn 2D style mixed with modern animation techniques. The vibrant colors, lush environments of New Orleans, and magical, fantastical creatures will create a visually stunning world.
The magical realm and the scenes involving voodoo or dark magic could have a more mystical, ethereal look, contrasting with the earthy, grounded feel of Tiana’s New Orleans.

Music:

The music will continue the tradition of jazz and blues that was such a central part of the original film. Expect to hear catchy tunes, emotional ballads, and upbeat numbers that bring the world of New Orleans to life.
New original songs could add to the film’s themes of personal growth, love, and magic, providing powerful emotional moments while celebrating Tiana’s journey as a leader.

Tone:

The Princess and the Frog 2 will likely retain the magical and heartwarming tone of the first film, with a mix of adventure, romance, and personal discovery. While there will be darker moments related to magic and supernatural forces, the film will still have a family-friendly, optimistic spirit, emphasizing themes of perseverance, community, and the importance of love and family.

Overall Expectations:

The Princess and the Frog 2 (2025) promises to build on the beloved world of Tiana, exploring her evolution as a princess, a businesswoman, and a leader. With new adventures, characters, and deeper themes of responsibility and personal growth, the sequel will expand Tiana’s journey while staying true to the magic, music, and heart of the original film. Fans can expect beautiful animation, a fantastic soundtrack, and an emotional story that continues to inspire both young and adult audiences.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.