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.
[Pictured above Randy Newman and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band perform a song from the upcomming movie "The Frog Princess." -- AP Photo]
I have a few questions why does the first black disney princess have to be a frog? I don't recall any of the other princesses being animals? And isn't it ususally the princess who kisses the frog prince?
Why is her name "Maddy"? This sounds like a slave name,and a field slave at that. Also, why does she have to be a "frog" princess. Some reconsideration would be good for her name and type of princess.
I think the name Maddy was good for her. You have to look at the times.. its based in the 1920's right??? From what I have heard, they have changed her name to Tiana.. Doesnt sound to 1920's to me anymore.. They changed it because people opposed it so much. Yeah she isnt in Africa..it would have been great if she were in Africa.. but she isnt.. Im just glad that little girls my color now have a princess they can relate to. Because believe it or not.. there are SOME kids out there that DO wish they could be another race because of how things are in this world...
Why doesn't anyone actually stop and search what the movie is based upon. It's based on a story by the Brothers Grimm called the Frog Prince. It's really cute and I completly understand why they chose New Orleans as the setting. It's perfect. They could've choosen anywhere else but they chose New Orleans and that's just fine. About the title, they could change the name of it but oh well. From what I read about it, it sounds like a very disney movie and I cannot wait to see it. And I wish that everyone would stop pulling the race card. Did anyone say that crap about Jasmine and Pocahontas? NO. So let it be and let the people who are happy for a new kind of princess rejoice. Now there are more princesses for little 3-8 year old girls to look up to. They didn't make the movie for adults, it's intended for children so let the children be the judge of it.
I just think, and this is coming from a twenty something, young, black female who grew up loving all the Disney's movies, that I would have preferred a storyline, which was based on folktales or old stories of factual "black princesses" from the African diaspora. I just think that Disney kind of let the ball down on this one, because a lot people from the African Diaspora outside of the US won't identify with this character. This story could easily be another white character, so I don't see where the individuality and the uniqueness of the movie is set apart from the rest...how more special is it really???
I don't think it is racist, just lacking a well thought out plan of action. It is only racist when people impose their thoughts into it. Racism won't go away in the US until people become more tolerant, less prejudice, and a tad bit more informed of different cultures. Just because it comes on tv doesn't mean that it is the correct view of how a people live and how they are.
I'm sure it is going to make money and do well. Let's just hope that the next one will have a more unique of storyline.
I cant believe everyone is making such a big deal about this on this website. I just wanted to see the princess. I love disney. PERIOD. People will hate the movie, love it, see it, or not see it. I support Disney because they have a way of grabbing childrens attention; it's all about a child being able to escape from reality and IMAGINE a world of princes and princess' and talking animals. They need movies like this to get them away from the stress of feeding off the energy of some of you people who can't accept things for what they are; trying so hard to cast some type of harsh judgment on everything. The only people who will probably continue to focus on how good, bad, racist or ignorant the movie is are the adults!!! If you take your kid to go see it I doubt they will complain like some of you are. If you have a problem with the movie don't see it! That's the great thing about America, your not forced to see the movie! I know I will see it and if you take your children to see it, they may very well enjoy it!! And for the English teacher,you are very smart and you show it, but you should try applying a little humility. It's just people choosing to leave comments on a website, they are not writing an essay to be graded and you do not have to come off as being smarter then every person on this site and maybe even the world.
I can't wait.....Wish everyone would get over themselves. I love that it's set in New Orleans. The buildings are beautiful the music is rich. I just hope this doesn't turn into a minstrel show. With her doing the stereotypical stuff. On another note everyone back then did do all the voodoo so get over that. I go to school in Louisiana and hell people still believe in voodoo and black magic and there are stores in the French Quarter with that. The animals are gonna be fun I can't wait =)
I am asian...i will be seeing this movie as i have seen all the disney princess movies. i will enjoy the film ( atleast i will if i still like cartoons...not sure since it has been some time since disney made a new princess and ive gotten older...)whether she is black or whatever race doesnt matter to me as long as the movie is good. i dont see why everyone is making such a big deal. i loved Ariel and i look nothing like her i wore the disney backpacks,lunchbags etc. i had no problem as a child imagining myself as Ariel...
I think that this is going to be a wonderful film. There is nothing wrong with it being set in New Orleans. And as for the voo-doo thing, people need to get over that because everyone has a right to their beliefs. Peace.
I think its wonderful that they now have a black disney princess. Everyone is so upset with the concept of the frog or the New Orleans setting, and no one has even seen it yet. Wait til it comes out people then say what you think of it, hello!
Wow!!! I've read most of th comments posted and all I can say is wow! Some of you should really lighten up! I am thrilled that finally we will see a black princess. Yes I think we can agree that it is long overdue. But I really think we should celebrate. The whole "Princess" franchise has helped me tremendously with potty training as those are the only panties my 2 year-old will wear and refuses to get them wet. I can't wait to add her to the collection. Finally other cultures will get to see us in a positve way as it seems that our culture (even in 2008) is still taboo. We are just like everyone else in the world- we want a fulfilling life, we want to raise happy and healthy families and teach and educate our children. We should really be more upset that there are no black bachelors or bachelorettes!!!! But they continue to show that foolishness on VH-1 ie, Flavor of Love, I Love New York etc, etc. Pure BUFFOONERY!
I'll start by saying that I'm really looking forward to this movie! I wish people would stop being so nit-picky. I don't believe disney was trying to be racist. If they were they wouldn't have made Maddy/Tiana a black princess. I'm really sick and tired of all this race talk. Everyday in highschool someone has to make some black joke or white joke or mexican, asian, middleastern joke which undermines the people of that color! Come on! So what if I'm paler of darker than the person beside me! The color of your skin doesn't determine who you are! We're all individuals even if people think the majority of your color act a certain way.... Yes I'm rambling lol. I'm just peeved. Anyways, we'll just have to wait till the movie comes out. ^_^::
maybe its just me but Maddy sounds like a slave name.. its neither magical..enchanted .. graceful nor beautiful... sounds like somebodys old grandmother... then a princess... I dont think its racist .. i just find it particular funny that it would take Disney soo long to get a African-American Princess.... I dont quite understand that... like Pochontas was created by Disney that was a true story just retold by Disney and they cut out alot of stuff from the story just soo it could be approiate for kids.... like Jasmine i can honestly say i never knew Jasmine was Arabic until i turned 14 I never cared bout the color of there skin...just knew as a 7 year old that was my favorite princess... as far as the whle color thing.. Im Guyanese-American.... the color of my skin is brown.. my family is from Guyana my great grandparents are Portugese - Chinese-Trinidadian but i was born in America soo does that make me Brown-American.. like WTF? the color of Caucasian people are definitely not white.. soo why continue calling African American people Black.... like theres Indian people way darker then me why dont you people call them Black.. or call them Dark...? hmm im off track got a little excited sorry.. but anyways i think when or if Disney has the balls to go through with this movie.. it will not go far.. it will be just like all those movies with princesses that nobody cared about... im pretty sure Disney will get a gold fuckin star for being cultural sensitive....
Disney first black princess my butt... ITs going to SUCk... I wouldn't be going to the movies to see a disney's 1st black princess movie... PLEASEEE!!
I don't think people will go see it .. and i think disney knows it... thats why its taking so long...
its going to go right to DVD !!
If by chance they add the 1st black princess at disney world i will not be stand in line to have my kids pictures done with her....
1st obama now this .. WTF!!!
Well, at least you're honest about being a racist. *sigh* I just wish your kind would go move to an island or something. Do your inbreeding and club bombing there why dont'cha?
As Sci-Fi fans we are picky. We question the quality of a script, the quality of production, the quality of performance, even the quality of people who produce our entertainment. Yet sitting here reading the reactions to this story, I am appalled at the petty, hurtful, close-minded comments that have been generated as a result.
I thought our community, out of everyone, would be past this. I guess I was wrong. I just wonder how much further we have to go before before even our little rag tag group can fulfill the promise left to us by our founders.