Disney's First Black Princess Hits Theaters Christmas 2009

Another Disney princess will soon join the ranks of the eight others (Snow White, Aurora, Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Pochahontas and Mulan (which I really don't get - how is Mulan a princess?). Returning to hand-drawn animation, the 49th Disney animated feature will be "The Princess and the Frog." Set in New Orleans, "The Princess and the Frog" (first titled "The Frog Princess") is an adapted version of the classic fairy tale, "The Frog Prince." The heroine, Princess Tiana, will be Disney's first Black leading-lady.

The story is about how a prince from a far-away land is transformed into a frog by a voodoo magician. The frog prince asks Tiana to break the spell by kissing him, but the kiss turns Tiana into a frog as well. The two of them try to reach the good voodoo priestess in the Cajun Bayou, befriending other characters along the way.

This film will use cel animation and is a throw back to past animated features (using hand-drawn animation and following a fairy tale). Voices include Anika Noni Rose as Tiana, along with Oprah Winfrey and John Goodman, among others. The score will be composed by Randy Newman, and the film will be directed by "Aladdin" and "Little Mermaid" directors Ron Clements and John Musker.

The film is scheduled to be released December 25, 2009.

Some controversy surrounded the film in its pre-production. The main character was originally going to be named Maddy, but comments flew about underscored racism in the name, so the name was changed to Tiana.

To see a trailer for the film, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBR0XVMPUUs&feature=related