First Black Disney Princess

joanna71985

joanna71985

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I wasn't sure if this belonged here. But I found it interesting:
Disney first: black princess in animated film

‘The Frog Princess’ will be set in New Orleans, scored by Randy Newman


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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17521429/displaymode/1176/rstry/17524865/




NEW ORLEANS - 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 film, set for release in 2009, also is the first hand-drawn film Disney has committed to since pledging last month to return to the traditional animation that made it a worldwide brand.
“The Frog Princess,” a musical scored by composer Randy Newman, is “an American fairy tale” starring a girl named Maddy who lives in the French Quarter in New Orleans, said John Lasseter, chief creative director for Disney and Pixar Animation Studios.

Disney did not provide details of the plot, but the company showed shareholders preliminary drawings from the movie. Newman and a jazz band played a song from the movie’s score.
Maddy joins eight other Disney princess characters, who have generated $3 billion in global retail sales since 1999. Disney Princesses is the fastest-growing brand for the company’s Consumer Products division.
Disney introduced its first non-white animated heroine in 1992's “Aladdin”: a Middle Eastern character named Jasmine. Three years later an American Indian princess appeared in “Pocahontas.”
The creation of the Chinese heroine from “Mulan” came in 1998. Other Disney princesses are the main characters from “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid.”
Disney aggregated the eight characters in 1999 under the banner Disney Princesses and has rolled out toys, books, clothing, furniture and other merchandise aimed at girls ages 3 to 8.
Disney chief executive Robert Iger said the company wanted to show its support for New Orleans, only partially rebuilt 18 months after it was flooded by Hurricane Katrina, by holding its annual meeting and setting its newest animated film in the city.
“The film’s New Orleans setting and strong princess character give the film lots of excitement and texture,” Walt Disney Studios chairman ________ Cook said.
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.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17524865/?GT1=9145
 
doop

doop

Well-Known Member
That's awesome, I can't wait to hear more, and I'm glad they're returning to the traditional Disney hand drawn animation.
 
Jarboe

Jarboe

New Member
Score

Here's my only reservation:

The score was originally supposed to be written my Alan Manken, not Randy Newman. I believe the success of the animation renaissance was not so much the 2-D art form (which I do prefer because the characters move much better), but the music within them. The songs were sung by the characters, and were integrated to the story, advancing the plot. When you left the theater, the songs were in your head, and you couldn't help but sing along. I find Newman's songs to be more passive in the movies he's scored. While he may have a light jazz melody here and there, his songs are too often in the background, not truly emulating the inner-monologue of the characters. Therefore we don't get to know them as well, and the music is not as powerful. What I'm afraid of is that this movie, if it lacks a solid script and score, will underperform, and the executives will blame the lack of return on the project on the medium of animation, rather than the total quality of the work, and that we may never see 2-D of Disney's former quality again. Any thoughts?
 
autumndawn1006

autumndawn1006

New Member
Harry Conick Jr. would have been cool, but that's just a personal opinion.

I just hope the actors are actually from the area. There's nothing I hate more than someone doing a southern or cajun accent badly. *cough**ghostrider**cough*
 
imagineer boy

imagineer boy

Well-Known Member
This is great. I'm so happy to see 2-D animation come back. And its also really nice to see a black Disney princess for once. Now people can stop accusing Disney of being racist. :lol:

But in all seriousness, any ideas on who could do her voice? Jennifer Hudson maybe?
 
SGT623

SGT623

Member
Jarboe said:
Here's my only reservation:

The score was originally supposed to be written my Alan Manken, not Randy Newman. I believe the success of the animation renaissance was not so much the 2-D art form (which I do prefer because the characters move much better), but the music within them. The songs were sung by the characters, and were integrated to the story, advancing the plot. When you left the theater, the songs were in your head, and you couldn't help but sing along. I find Newman's songs to be more passive in the movies he's scored. While he may have a light jazz melody here and there, his songs are too often in the background, not truly emulating the inner-monologue of the characters. Therefore we don't get to know them as well, and the music is not as powerful. What I'm afraid of is that this movie, if it lacks a solid script and score, will underperform, and the executives will blame the lack of return on the project on the medium of animation, rather than the total quality of the work, and that we may never see 2-D of Disney's former quality again. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

You just said everything I was about to type. Thanks for saving me the time. :-)
 
IcicleM

IcicleM

New Member
Jarboe said:
Here's my only reservation:

The score was originally supposed to be written my Alan Manken, not Randy Newman. I believe the success of the animation renaissance was not so much the 2-D art form (which I do prefer because the characters move much better), but the music within them. The songs were sung by the characters, and were integrated to the story, advancing the plot. When you left the theater, the songs were in your head, and you couldn't help but sing along. I find Newman's songs to be more passive in the movies he's scored. While he may have a light jazz melody here and there, his songs are too often in the background, not truly emulating the inner-monologue of the characters. Therefore we don't get to know them as well, and the music is not as powerful. What I'm afraid of is that this movie, if it lacks a solid script and score, will underperform, and the executives will blame the lack of return on the project on the medium of animation, rather than the total quality of the work, and that we may never see 2-D of Disney's former quality again. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. I really don't care for Randy Newman's songs in ANY of the Pixar films (just Cars) because the only thing I think they've been memorable for would be background emotion the characters may be feeling. If they really want to bring back hand drawn animation, and possibly even the musicals, they need to put Alan Menken in there with Tim Rice and write some beautiful music. Unfortunately, Howard Ashman isn't with us anymore, and we will always remember what he did for music with Disney. Though Disney musicals will never be the same without the two of them together, Alan Menken should still carry on that dream, and write again for a Disney Musical.
 
Launchpad

Launchpad

Account Suspended
Not too thrilled about this one. I don't understand the New Orleans Princess thing. Doesn't make sense to me.

I don't understand the big deal of a black princess. Any other race and it wouldn't have had the title First (insert race) Disney Princess, but I suppose that's just the unfortunate way this country is.

I am happy about the animation, but New Orleans Princess? :lol:

Disney chief executive Robert Iger said the company wanted to show its support for New Orleans, only partially rebuilt 18 months after it was flooded by Hurricane Katrina
Click to expand...

I don't mean to be rude but where's New York's Disney Princess movie?
 
davidpw97

davidpw97

Well-Known Member
Maybe they can call her the "Chocolate Princess" in honor of the mayor and his "chocolate city". I can just see the candy tie-ins now.
 
lpet11984

lpet11984

Well-Known Member
Jarboe said:
Here's my only reservation:

The score was originally supposed to be written my Alan Manken, not Randy Newman. I believe the success of the animation renaissance was not so much the 2-D art form (which I do prefer because the characters move much better), but the music within them. The songs were sung by the characters, and were integrated to the story, advancing the plot. When you left the theater, the songs were in your head, and you couldn't help but sing along. I find Newman's songs to be more passive in the movies he's scored. While he may have a light jazz melody here and there, his songs are too often in the background, not truly emulating the inner-monologue of the characters. Therefore we don't get to know them as well, and the music is not as powerful. What I'm afraid of is that this movie, if it lacks a solid script and score, will underperform, and the executives will blame the lack of return on the project on the medium of animation, rather than the total quality of the work, and that we may never see 2-D of Disney's former quality again. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...


I wholeheartedly agree. The only song I've ever felt he made a decent connection with was "You've Got A Friend In Me."-- other than that example though, I don't feel as though he makes a good effort to really connect either. That's not to say it isn't OK "muzac", but it just isn't integrated very well between story, message, and emotional impact, IMHO.
 
C

clarksfan95

Member
I wouldn't be too concerned about what happens if this movie doesn't do well. It was Steve Jobs and John Lasseters idea to revive the 2D animation dept. at Disney and they are going to bring it back and Lasseter understands that not every film going to be released is going to be successful. Whether this film does well or not...2D will still be returning to Disney.

As for the music, it doesn't make a difference to me...I don't feel that music makes or breaks a film...just the story.
 
P

Phantasia

New Member
I wonder whether the love interest (the prince) will also be black, or whether Disney will feature a mixed-race relationship? I suppose that was done in Pocahonta's - but would be interesting to see
great to see a black princess though
 

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