Walt Disney is doing a few things right with their new animated movie, The Frog Princess, a musical adaptation of the classic Grimm brothers fairy tale. First, they are doing it "old school" by animating the movie by hand - departing from the Pixar and other computer animated methods. Second, the main Princess is black. This is a first for Disney and long overdue. "Maddy" will be added to all the princess gatherings all around the Disney world.
In Feb 2007, it was reported that Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose are currently top contenders for the voice of the film's title character, and that Alicia Keys directly contacted Disney's studio chief Dick Cook, telling him that she wanted the role very much.
The film is being scored by Randy Newman (Cars, Toy Story, Monsters, Inc. etc.) and is co-directed by John Musker and Ron Clements who were the team behind The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Hercules (three of my all time favorites). The film is slated to come out in 2009.
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Yeh I just blogged about this over at Highbrid Nation, check it out if you get a chance. Anyway, it really is about time Disney gave little girls a black princess to look up to. Its long overdue. I also think its great that the film will take place in New Orleans. I'll definately have to take my neice to the Frog Princess.
ReplyDeleteI think a black Disney princess has been long overdue, and its about time they have one. They already have Mulan, and Pocahontas so it seems right that they have Maddy. Kudos to Disney.
ReplyDeleteI don't whether it'll just be passed off as unimportant, but I feel the need to question it.
ReplyDeleteWhat color will Charlotte be? (The snobby girl of this movie)
I'm happy that Disney is catching up but don't really want to give them too many kudos just because I feel it's nothing they're passionate about, just necessary to get people off their ass.