The Princess and the Frog (Opens December 11, 2009)

[Melanie]

Well, I guess since Ron Clements and John Musker are responsible for both Hercules and The Frog Princess, it's not such a stretch.

Yeah, Randy Newman is an odd choice. I like him, but like you said Michael, he's so associated with Pixar. But everyone is one now, and everyone loves each other.

Seriously though, where's Alan Menken? I know, he's working on Enchanted. If only Howard Ashman were still with us.

[disneygecko]

I am really excited for this movie to come out. It seems interesting from the description so far and I am so glad Disney is going back to traditional hand-drawn animation.

[glenpreece]

I am really excied about this movie and I really hope that Maddy turns out to be a successful Princess.

[PirateLover]

When I first heard that this movie would star an African American princess in N.O. I got excited. Then when I read on here that it would be set in the 1920s jazz age I got SUPER excited!!!!!! That is one of my favorite eras in American History. I love the music, the styles, etc. Although, I'm not too familiar with Randy Newman outside of Pixar so I don't know how good he is writing in that style (if they even plan to have the music in that style). I'm hoping for a home run. Don't let me down Disney!

[imaprincess!]

Does anyone have details on a new Disney princess movie? The setting is in New Orleans and is supposed to feature the first African-American princess. She is a frog princess.

[Melanie]

Here is a recent discussion from the News forum.

New Orleans the site of new Disney film

[imaprincess!]

Two comments:

1. I agree -- the second picture posted seems much more princess-y. I saw the first picture and wondered why they drew her to look like a Gladiator.

2. I have already heard comments to the effect of "Why, when Disney finally creates a black princess do they make her a frog princess?"

[GiltterDisneyGirl]

I hope this movie is a good one.

[Aurora]

Randy Newman is a ragtime GENIUS which fits into the New Orleans jazz theme. Take a listen to his "Ragtime" soundtrack (1981).

I'm really looking forward to seeing the movie (I love the first posted "photo"), but the cynic in me smells commercial all over this one.

New Orleans setting = Movie tie to New Orleans Square, Disneyland
African-American princess = Target-audience marketing opportunity
Voodoo characters = Mining popularity of voodoo lady in Pirates movies (yes, I know it's New Orleans bayou)

Not that this is necessarily all bad. I just see $$$ signs.

I also hope they resist the temptation for broad caricatures.

[Melanie]

A name change and a star!


Actress Rose kisses "Frog" for Disney

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Anika Noni Rose, who sang with Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson in "Dreamgirls." will provide the voice for Princess Tiana in the Walt Disney Co.'s musical animated feature "The Princess and the Frog," slated for a holiday 2009 release.

Walt Disney Animation Studios will produce the New Orleans-set fairy tale, which will introduce the newest Disney princess, Tiana, a girl living in the fabled French Quarter.

The film, previously titled "The Frog Princess," is based on an original story written by Disney filmmaking duo John Musker and Ron Clements, who also will direct. Randy Newman will write songs and the score for "Frog."

Rose next will been seen in USA Network's miniseries "The Starter Wife."

[handmaidenofprincesses]

The manager at a local Disney store told me and my friend that Disney was coming out with a new hand animated movie that will introduce a new black princess (sorry if thats not the politically correct term, but i don't want to call her "African American", because she's not necessarily either!) Anyways, has anyone else heard anything about this?

[Chipfan]

I believe thats Tiana (i think thats her name) from the new movie the Princess and the Frog coming out in 2009. She will be an African American princess from New Orleans...atleast thats my understanding or the movie

[NotaGeek]

Here's a link to the dicussion that was posted previously! I am hopeful for this one!

New Orleans the Site of New Disney Film

[snifflesmcg]

I think that's great.

[Melanie]

You beat me to the punch, Mr. Michael!

I am hopeful for this one too. Looks good, looks real good.

[Park Hopper]

This sounds exciting! I have always wondered why Disney went away from the successful Princess model.

The only thing that concerns me is that given this list of characters, I hope that they do not go overboard, trying to make too much of a political statement (contrasting the African American Princess 'Maddy' character to the White 'Charlotte' character).

I kind of think Pocahontas suffered from this type of overly simplistic political correctness.

Please do not flame me for saying this. I think this is a great opportunity and great that they are diversifying. And, it looks to me like the main villain may be another African American, which would be great. I just think that Disney should stay away from race issues and the such in their animated features. Hopefully, everyone will understand what I am trying to say without thinking that I am some reactionary.

[NotaGeek]

Hmmm. I think it might be best to NOT let this discussion turn into a race issue, because it's not JUST about African Americans. I think the fact that Disney is having it's first African American Princess is great, and it definitly lets an entire population of the world's little princesses identify with someone that might have their same skin color, as did Pocohontas, Aladdin, and Mulan.

Political correctness is necessary in 2007. There is nothing wrong with using simplistic measures to include people that might be otherwise left out of the Disney Magic. I have a 6 year old god daughter that happens to be African American and told Jasmine "you are my favorite princess because we are almost the same color" and it really made me think, she's 6 and realized that there isn't anyone for HER to identify with as a princess ... so yes, diversity does matter to her.

I have a feeling this movie is going to be very good and very popular for many reasons, especially it's diversity.

[LibertyTreeGal]

Well, we were at DL a few weeks back and they have this FABULOUS lady called Miss Queenie who sings Jazz at New Orleans Square. I did not know this -- I told my boys that this was obviously the new Disney princess (since she was AA and dressed very fancy) even though I knew the movie isn't due out for a few years. Well, they went right up and kissed her hands and she nearly swooned with delight. I told her that they do that to all princesses. She blushed.

(edited Off Topic)

[NotaGeek]

Let's NOT let this thread turn into a discussion about what to call whom. This thread is about the new Princess, who happens to be African American, any discussions other than this are BOUND to stir up emotions that aren't necessary in the Movie forum.

Please ... let's keep discussion only about the new Movie and the princess and how she might change the "face" of the Disney Princesses, or just general chat about the excitement of the new film.

[Park Hopper]

Hmmm. I think it might be best to NOT let this discussion turn into a race issue, because it's not JUST about African Americans. I think the fact that Disney is having it's first African American Princess is great, and it definitly lets an entire population of the world's little princesses identify with someone that might have their same skin color, as did Pocohontas, Aladdin, and Mulan.

Political correctness is necessary in 2007. There is nothing wrong with using simplistic measures to include people that might be otherwise left out of the Disney Magic. I have a 6 year old god daughter that happens to be African American and told Jasmine "you are my favorite princess because we are almost the same color" and it really made me think, she's 6 and realized that there isn't anyone for HER to identify with as a princess ... so yes, diversity does matter to her.

I have a feeling this movie is going to be very good and very popular for many reasons, especially it's diversity.

You obviously missed my point. Let me say it again. I think that it is great that they are diversifying and it is my greatest hope, like you, that this will not turn into a race issue. That is all I am saying. I think Disney should be careful not to turn this into a race issue.

Where I disagree is that overly simplistic political correctness is not necessarily a great thing. When you over simplify complicated issues, you make things confusing, especially to a child. It is my hope that they will stick to entertainment and the traditional good verse evil message and not try to bring race into it.

The fact that they are adding an African American Princess is needed and exciting, but I think they need to be careful about the main conflict in this movie. If they try to make the movie into a political documentary, I think they will ruin their opportunity to diversify. Pocahontas, in my opinion went too far with the (Native Americans good, European Settlers Bad) theme. This is part of the reason that it was not that successful. I think many kids had a hard time with the conflict in this movie. Many Native American communities also did not like how it was done.

So, in short:

Diversity, Disney, Animated Features = Good

Heavy, Overly Simplistic, Political Message in a kids animated feature = not so good.