'Brave' Movie Release Will See Disney Pixar's First Ever Female Lead
Disney Pixar has announced the release date for “Brave,” which will introduce the animation studio’s first-ever female protagonist.
Princess Merida, voiced by Scotland-born Kelly Macdonald, will serve as the first princess from a Disney Pixar film. The voice of the princess was originally going to be recorded by Reese Witherspoon, but because of a scheduling conflict, the role was given to Macdonald.
In the story, Scottish princess Merida defies her parents by pursuing an interest in archery. The fiery redheaded princess inadvertently gets her kingdom in trouble by choosing her own destiny and defying a sacred custom.
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Female leads are becoming few and far between in modern animation films. Dreamwork’s “Monster’s vs. Aliens” was the first film to feature a female central character, and was a huge box office success. It is one of the top-earning animation films of all time.
The media has commended Pixar’s decision to use a female character in “Brave.”
The fairy tale is the first of its kind for Pixar, and was reportedly inspired by Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm. It has a slightly more serious feel in comparison to studio’s previous films. It will also be Pixar’s first period film, taking place in ancient medieval Scotland.
Macdonald has appeared in HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” as well as in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 2.”
Emma Thompson is the voice of Queen Elinor in the film and Scottish actor Kevin McKidd voices the “Brave” character Lord MacGuffin.
“There’s incredible action and drama and adventure to the story, so I think it’s going to be a really amazing, epic Scottish fairy tale,” McKidd said during a Disney expo on the film last month.
“Brave” is directed by Mark Andrews and produced by Katherine Sarafian.
The movie is scheduled to hit theaters on June 22, 2012.
