Disney Introduces First African-American Princess in Upcoming Film
Caitlin Salovich
Issue date: 11/1/08 Section: Features
The Walt Disney Company has begun production on a new animated film set to be released in 2009. It is entitled "The Princess and the Frog" and is based off of the classic fairy tale "The Frog Prince." The movie, which will feature Walt Disney Studio's first African-American Princess, will be co-directed by John Musker and Rob Clements, the team responsible for co-directing such Disney hits as "The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin" and "Hercules." The film, which will be the first traditionally animated film since Disney's "Home on the Range" in 2004, will become Walt Disney Animation Studio's 48th animated feature.
Although Disney has provided little information on the plot of "The Princess and the Frog," it has been confirmed that the story is about Princess Tiana, a young African-American girl living during the 1920's Jazz Age.
"The Princess and the Frog" characters are voiced by an all-star cast, including "Dreamgirls'" Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana, Oprah Winfrey as Tiana's mother Eudora and John Goodman as Eli "Big Daddy" La Bouff. Jennifer Cody will provide the voice of Princess Tiana's rival Charlotte La Bouff, a spoiled 18-year-old southern debutante; Bruno Campus will give life to Prince Naveen, a down-to-earth guy who comes to the French Quarter and whom both Tiana and Charlotte fall madly in love with.
"The Princess and the Frog" promises to return to the Broadway-style musical form, similar to the successful Walt Disney classics that made Disney popular to begin with. The film, which has been categorized by Disney as a "musical fairy tale," will include musical scores by composer Randy Newman, who has also composed songs for the Disney-Pixar films "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc." and "Cars."
Disney's new film will be set in the city of New Orleans; Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger stated that the company wanted to display its support for the victims of New Orleans, after being flooded by Hurricane Katrina.
"The film's New Orleans setting and strong princess character give the film lots of excitement and texture," commented Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook.
Although Disney has provided little information on the plot of "The Princess and the Frog," it has been confirmed that the story is about Princess Tiana, a young African-American girl living during the 1920's Jazz Age.
"The Princess and the Frog" characters are voiced by an all-star cast, including "Dreamgirls'" Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana, Oprah Winfrey as Tiana's mother Eudora and John Goodman as Eli "Big Daddy" La Bouff. Jennifer Cody will provide the voice of Princess Tiana's rival Charlotte La Bouff, a spoiled 18-year-old southern debutante; Bruno Campus will give life to Prince Naveen, a down-to-earth guy who comes to the French Quarter and whom both Tiana and Charlotte fall madly in love with.
"The Princess and the Frog" promises to return to the Broadway-style musical form, similar to the successful Walt Disney classics that made Disney popular to begin with. The film, which has been categorized by Disney as a "musical fairy tale," will include musical scores by composer Randy Newman, who has also composed songs for the Disney-Pixar films "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc." and "Cars."
Disney's new film will be set in the city of New Orleans; Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger stated that the company wanted to display its support for the victims of New Orleans, after being flooded by Hurricane Katrina.
"The film's New Orleans setting and strong princess character give the film lots of excitement and texture," commented Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook.
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