Upcoming Animated Musical has First Black Disney Princess

In a new animated fairy tale, the Walt Disney Company will make history by introducing its first black princess in a movie, according to CNN.com.

The name of the character will be Maddy, and she will be the heroine of The Frog Princess.  The film, which will take place in New Orleans, is described by Disney chief creative officer John Lasseter as "an American fairy tale."  "The film's New Orleans setting and strong princess character give the film lots of excitement and texture," stated Dick Cook, Walt Disney Studios Chairman.

Randy Newman (Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Cars) will write the score.  Newman is also the composer/lyricist of the musical Faust.

While Disney Pixar films using computer-generated imagery have become popular in recent years, The Frog Princess will feature classic handdrawn animation.  John Musker and Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin), who co-wrote the film's story, will co-direct.

The Frog Princess will be released in theaters in 2009.