The Frog Princess Press Release

[Atlantica]

Here it is! Official news on this new feature length Disney Animation!

March 08, 2007
DISNEY'S 2009 ANIMATED RELEASE "THE FROG PRINCESS" TAPS INTO STUDIO'S RICH FAIRY TALE LEGACY

OSCAR-WINNER RANDY NEWMAN TEAMS UP WITH ACCLAIMED VETERAN DIRECTORS MUSKER & CLEMENTS

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – (March 8, 2007) -- The Walt Disney Studios will continue its fairy tale legacy in animation by taking moviegoers on an all-new "once upon a time" musical adventure with its 2009 release of "The Frog Princess," it was announced today by Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, and John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Disney and Pixar Animation Studios. A musical set in the legendary birthplace of jazz – New Orleans -- "The Frog Princess" will introduce the newest Disney princess, Maddy, a young African-American girl living amid the charming elegance and grandeur of the fabled French Quarter. From the heart of Louisiana's mystical bayous and the banks of the mighty Mississippi comes an unforgettable tale of love, enchantment and discovery with a soulful singing crocodile, voodoo spells and Cajun charm at every turn.

"The Frog Princess" is based on an original story written by Disney's acclaimed filmmaking duo John Musker & Ron Clements ("The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," "Hercules"), who will also direct. Oscar®-winning songwriter/composer and New Orleans native Randy Newman ("Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc." and "Cars") will write songs and the score for this project. Peter Del Vecho, a 12-year Disney animation veteran, will produce.

Commenting on the announcement from The Walt Disney Company's 2007 Annual Meeting of shareholders, Cook said, "We're pleased to be here in the heart of New Orleans to announce 'The Frog Princess,' a great story with all the ingredients that go into making an extraordinary motion picture experience. Like many of Disney's most popular fairy tales, it has elements of magic, fantasy, adventure, heart, humor, and music. The film's New Orleans setting and strong princess character give the film lots of excitement and texture. We're also thrilled to have John Musker, Ron Clements and Randy Newman lending their talents and creative energies to this project. John and Ron helped to usher in Disney's second golden age of animation nearly two decades ago with 'The Little Mermaid,' and are on track to create the Studio's next great fairy tale adventure."

John Lasseter added, "Aside from being longtime friends and colleagues, John and Ron are two of the most influential and imaginative filmmakers in the animation medium, and I am so excited to be working with them in bringing their creative vision

for 'The Frog Princess' to the big screen. They've come up with an original story that is deeply rooted in the fairy tale tradition, and it's filled with great humor, emotion, and musical moments. Randy Newman brings fun and excitement to every project, and I couldn't think of a better choice to deliver some wonderful New Orleans style music."

John Musker & Ron Clements have directed and produced five feature films for Disney including "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin." Additionally they received story and/or screenplay credits as well. Musker began his career at Disney in 1977, after studying character animation at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). He started as an assistant animator and went on to animate on "The Fox and the Hound." Clements started at Disney in the Talent Development Program, and went on to serve a two-year apprenticeship under Disney animation legend, Frank Thomas. He moved from in-betweener to assistant to animator/storyman with credits on such films as "Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too," "The Rescuers," "Pete's Dragon," "The Fox and the Hound," and "The Black Cauldron."

Randy Newman is a 17-time Oscar® nominee and winner (in 2002) for his song, "If I Didn't Have You," from the Disney/Pixar film, "Monsters, Inc." Among his many achievements, he has contributed songs and musical scores for such other Pixar animated features as "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc." and "Cars." Newman's impressive list of film credits also includes scores for "Ragtime," "The Natural," "Parenthood," "Awakenings," and "Pleasantville." He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002, and his other career milestones include three Grammy Awards, an Emmy, the first Henry Mancini Award for Lifetime Achievement, and an Annie Award.

Peter Del Vecho began his association with Walt Disney Feature Animation in 1995, following a 15-year stint working as a stage manager, production manager and associate producer in the world of live theater. From 1986-95, he worked for the renowned Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, leaving there as associate producer. At Disney, Del Vecho was the production manager on "Hercules" and associate producer on "Chicken Little," among other projects. A native of Boston, he received a degree in Theatre Arts from Boston University.

Maddy, the animated heroine in "The Frog Princess," will also join The Walt Disney Company's venerable court of beloved Disney princesses as they continue to enjoy the royal treatment at Disney's theme parks, consumer products, publishing, Internet and other businesses worldwide.

Contact
The Walt Disney Studios
Heidi Trotta
(818)560-7280

[UmbrellaFish]

Thanks for posting this! I'm a bit surprised it's taking place in New Orleans, though. Otherwise, we now have a new princess to welcome, Maddy.

[Disneykid]

2009? I thought Rapunzel was scheduled for then, and American Dog scheduled for next year. I'm a little worried at the film's production rate. It's just now going into production (they haven't even selected a cast, yet). Animated films take 3-4 years, but this movie's coming out in two and a half. I hope this doesn't mean Rapunzel gets postponed (again). Also, as much as I love John Lasseter, his replacing Alan Menken with Randy Newman is very hypocritical. His reasoning was that he didn't want Disney to be tied to a usual formula of having Menken score fairy tale films. So bringing in Randy Newman, someone who's worked on just as many Disney-related films as Menken, is going to shake things up? Either get someone fresh, or bring Menken back. Has John forgotten that how many films the Sherman Brothers wrote songs for, or how many films Frank Churchill scored? That said, I'm still looking forward to this movie. I find the whole New Orleans jazz concept fascinating being a jazz fan, myself. I'm only hoping the film won't be a mess for being rushed through production so quickly.

[Simba3]

I am so excited about The Frog Princess it isn't even funny. Forget American Dog, forget Rapunzel -- The Frog Princess is the one I am most excited about. As many of you already know, I am not too fond of Disney's transition to an all CGI look in Chicken Little and Meet the Robinsons. The Frog Princess is set to send the Walt Disney Studios back to the 2D drawing board. Just think, The Frog Princess could be the start of a whole new Golden Age of Disney animation. 15 years from now we could adore the film like we do Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid. With Musker and Clements on board - the film is bound to be a hit. I HOPE SO, I have really high expectations for this film. I think the storyline sounds really interesting, definately something new and different. Though I would have like to have seen Alan Menken contributing music to the film, I am sure Newman will come up with some wonderful music! I can't wait until 2009!

[blackcauldron85]

It is curious about the 2009 date- I can't see Disney releasing 2 princess films in one year. But, it would be welcomed by me. Maybe "Rapunzel" will come out sooner? Even though next year is 2008 already...hmmm. Wait and see. If Alan Menken can write Calipso music and country music, I'm sure he's capable of writing jazz music. I don't dislike the Pixar songs, but I'll listen to an Alan Menken soundtrack over a Randy Newman soundtrack any day.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Forget American Dog, forget Rapunzel -- The Frog Princess is the one I am most excited about. As many of you already know, I am not too fond of Disney's transition to an all CGI look in Chicken Little and Meet the Robinsons. The Frog Princess is set to send the Walt Disney Studios back to the 2D drawing board. Just think, The Frog Princess could be the start of a whole new Golden Age of Disney animation.

But you've not seen a piece of animation from The Frog Princess. For all we know, it could look as good as Cinderella II. Certainly, you can't love anything as long as it's drawn from a pencil, can you?

Anyway, anyone who knows my feelings about Frog Princess should know I'm shocked to hear this news. 2009 is just way too early for a film that has not even begun.

I don't know, I sense cutting corners if they're going to pull off that date.

[Aladdin from Agrabah]

I'm so SO SO excited about this film!!!! The thing is we don't have even a glimpse of its animation. I don't think I can wait till 2009, I want it now! And I really hope that the title "Frog Princess" doesn't mean that she'll be turned into a frog, I don't want another 'The Emperor's New Groove" story.

[Simba3]

But you've not seen a piece of animation from The Frog Princess. For all we know, it could look as good as Cinderella II. Certainly, you can't love anything as long as it's drawn from a pencil, can you?

Very true, I have not yet seen any animation from the film, but that is partly why I am excited. No, I do not mean to imply that anything hand drawn from Disney is going to be good, I am just happy to see that Disney is going back to 2D animation, which I prefer. Also, like I said, with Musker and Clements on board, the film has very experienced Disney staff on the job. Hopefully, this will translate to an amazing film!

[PatrickvD]

[Disney's Divinity]

The drawing with the green background looks decent, but the other one looks kind of...eh. I hope this whole movie isn't just some kind of effort to make an African American Disney princess to advertise.

[UmbrellaFish]

I don't know about that drawing. She looks like she came out a comic book.

[NarniaDis]

Meh - not impressed so far.... and the 2009 date.... has me very worried...

[Simba3]

Oh wow! I think the second picture looks really great!! Why does the 2009 date scare everyone? It's not like this is the first we are hearing of the film, there has probably been work being done on it for a little while. Plus, it doesn't say WHEN in 2009 it is going to be released, and dates are always subject to change, as we well know.

[myr_heille]

PatrickvD, do you think these pictures can be put on the wikipedia Frog Princess article, or are they protected by copyright? I'd love to see them on the article. They are very interesting! They actually got me more interested in the movie

[dalmation134]

I'm very excited for this movie. I haven't been to crazy about the CGI lately, and Im glad that this one is gonna be 2-D. As for the picture, I think they are okay. I'd like to see them a little less cartoony (like hercules) and a little more majestic. So far, not too shabby.

[myr_heille]

I'm very excited for this movie. I haven't been to crazy about the CGI lately, and Im glad that this one is gonna be 2-D. As for the picture, I think they are okay. I'd like to see them a little less cartoony (like hercules) and a little more majestic. So far, not too shabby.

Cartoony is good I think. The first one reminds me a bit of the visual they were aiming at with Atlantis (can't remember whose style was used, sorry...), with the shadows and everything. I love that she has a lemon on her head

[Skellington or Sparrow]

this may only be a theory, but i was thinking:

does anyone else think that disney's making this princess the first black disney princess to see what audiences think about it? like maybe to see if 'audiences' will 'forgive' disney for Song of the South? i mean i'm not saying that's the whole reason they're making this movie, but if this movie's a success or at least people like the fact that disney's making this girl the first black disney princess, maybe they'll use that to their advantage if they do decide to release SOTS. just a possibility. like they might have a bonus feature on the Song of the South dvd on how far they've come or something.

[Atlantica]

I've updated the first post with the whole press release. Maybe this movie has been in production for longer than we had thought, and Disney just has not said anything?

Here is the logo:

[PatrickvD]

My guess is this has been in production longer than was known. I think one of the first things Lasseter did when in charge was ask John 'n Ron to come back so they can finally make their film.

Also, people complaining about the character designs.... seriously.... before you complain next time, pop in any Disney dvd so you can find out how redicolous some of the most beloved characters looked when they were in their early design stage..

The concept of that stage is to try out as much as possible in an effort not to exclude all the possibilities. If it weren't for an extensive research process, Ariel would have been a blonde haired, orange tailed mermaid, because that would have been the easy way.

[PatrickvD]

PatrickvD, do you think these pictures can be put on the wikipedia Frog Princess article, or are they protected by copyright? I'd love to see them on the article. They are very interesting! They actually got me more interested in the movie

I don't know for sure. You'd have to contact the site wich posted the original article.