MUMBAI: 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.
The announcement was made by The Walt Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook and Disney and Pixar Animation Studios chief creative officer John Lasseter.
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 and 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.
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.”
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 and 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.
