Disney Introduces First Black Princess

[ziggystardust]

Sorry if this was posted already...

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AP) -- The Walt Disney Co. has started production on an animated musical fairy tale called "The Frog Princess," which will be set in New Orleans and feature the Walt Disney Studio's first black princess.

The company unveiled the plans at its annual shareholders' meeting in New Orleans.

John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Disney and the Disney-owned unit Pixar Animation Studios, said the movie would return to the classic hand-drawn animation process, instead of using computer animation that has become the industry standard. He called the film "an American fairy tale."

"The film's New Orleans setting and strong princess character give the film lots of excitement and texture," Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook said.

The movie will be scored by Randy Newman, who also wrote the music for Disney's "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc." and "Cars."

Newman performed a song from the score for the shareholders.

John Musker and Ron Clements, who co-directed "The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," and "Hercules" will co-direct the movie. The pair also wrote the story for the film.

Disney said its new animated princess -- Maddy -- will be added to its collection of animated princesses used at the company's theme parks and on consumer products.

The film is set for release in 2009.



http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/15/disney.newprincess.ap/index.html

 

[Narnian_Princess]

It's about time!

 

[Goofyluver]

Sorry if this was posted already...

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AP) -- The Walt Disney Co. has started production on an animated musical fairy tale called "The Frog Princess," which will be set in New Orleans and feature the Walt Disney Studio's first black princess.

The company unveiled the plans at its annual shareholders' meeting in New Orleans.

John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Disney and the Disney-owned unit Pixar Animation Studios, said the movie would return to the classic hand-drawn animation process, instead of using computer animation that has become the industry standard. He called the film "an American fairy tale."

"The film's New Orleans setting and strong princess character give the film lots of excitement and texture," Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook said.

The movie will be scored by Randy Newman, who also wrote the music for Disney's "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc." and "Cars."

Newman performed a song from the score for the shareholders.

John Musker and Ron Clements, who co-directed "The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," and "Hercules" will co-direct the movie. The pair also wrote the story for the film.

Disney said its new animated princess -- Maddy -- will be added to its collection of animated princesses used at the company's theme parks and on consumer products.

The film is set for release in 2009.



http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/15/disney.newprincess.ap/index.html

It's about time there was some diversity!

 

[cardaway]

It better be good. The reaction could be much worse than it was for Mulan or Pocohantas.

 

[JCJRSmith]

Sorry if this was posted already...

I posted about this on Sunday. Got a whole 2 replies. I was surprised it did not get more traction:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1383425

 

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

I read about this yesterday.

It's really exciting! Maddy seems like she's going to be an awesome character.

 

[ziggystardust]

I'm actually really excited that its going to be hand-drawn and not computer animated too.

 

[profdsny]

Great on two counts. First off, yes, a black princess would be great. I'm sorry if I don't follow, though. Is the story set in New Orleans? Like in the bayoo or something? It does sound interesting.
Secondly, while real animation would be good, they tried that with Home on the Range. That was about the 5th loser in a row they've have. Maybe it is time they brought some of the old creative people back.

While we are on the subject, yeah Mulan and Pocahantas, as well as the Lion King, and Tarzan were really slammed in some circles. Too white, or not ethnic enough, etc. I heard somone rant about Tarzan, a white guy, being king of the African jungle. I think he really didn't see the movie.
I just hope they get someone decent to do the voice. Raven would NOT be my choice. She would be a real turn off. It's amazing the amount of kids in schools who don't like her. On an very unoffical poll, (show of hands) Hannah Montanta gets much higher ratings with 3rd graders than Raven. This is in an all AA class.

Anyhow, glad to hear about this.