Yes, Disney Animation is back in the princess business.
They’d tried to revive it with Tiana then Rapunzel, and even Pixar took a crack at it
with Merida.
After all it is one Disney’s golden geese, bringing in billions of dollars in revenue.
But with Frozen, Disney not only managed to introduce not one but TWO wildly popular characters
with Queen Elsa and Princess Anna, but something that has evolved even beyond the Disney Princess
line to become its own solo brand - including not just merchandise but theme park experiences
which actually drive attendance.
Now, Frozen was an unexpected hit for Disney Animation, who never imagined a film which
was being reworked up until the very last minute would be their first film to join the
billion dollar club!
And to make the victory even sweeter, it outperformed Toy Story 3, the billion dollar club member
from its in-house competition Pixar.
So naturally, Disney the overall company continues to furiously work to capitalize on Frozen’s
success - after huge turnouts for Frozen Fun, the Norway pavillion in Epcot is basically
being turned into a Frozen pavillion, complete with a new ride and permanent character meet
and greet!
And after the intense interest in the recent short film Frozen Fever, a feature length
sequel is officially in development!
But it takes a really long time to make an animated movie - and Disney needs another
Disney Princess movie STAT to keep this momentum going.
Which means Moana, the only other princess movie that Disney Animation has in the works,
was at the right place at the right time.
This 2018 film is now fast-tracked for 2016.
That’s right, next year!
Yet Dwayne Johnson JUST signed on to voice a lead character, and the role of Moana still
remains uncast.
Another last minute rush job, Disney?
Let’s see if lightning will strike twice...
One good early sign is that Disney fans are quite taken with the idea of Moana, even though
they haven’t met her yet in any shape or form.
The only official artwork that’s been released for the film is this Mary Blair-type concept
art, and this landscape concept art.
But a considerable amount of fan art has popped up online, especially from those eagerly anticipating
a little more...color among the Disney Princesses.
Yes, Disney continues to have a diversity problem with many fans wishing upon a star
to see themselves reflected in the crown jewel of Disney Animation, their princess movies.
Jasmine is by far and away the most popular non-white princess to date, but while Mulan
and Pocahontas also have their fans they never seem to be legitimate members - often left
out of merchandise and events.
That could be because neither sports a ball gown, which is how the Disney Princesses are
usually depicted.
Tiana’s introduction was supposed to fix that, and indeed she does appear on more merchandise
thanks to having her very own ball gown.
But Tiana, who spent most of her on-screen time as a frog in Disney’s last 2D animated
film, has never seemed to quite capture audience’s attention...
Now obviously, Moana is also unlikely to have a ball gown, so that could be problematic.
However, while she might not fit with the Disney Princess line she can be added to another
very lucrative part of the Disney Empire, alongside Stitch!
Yes, Stitch can be found at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in Orlando - which just received
an extensive makeover - and features both a character breakfast and evening dinner show,
both of which could feature Moana!
She could also be featured at Disney’s Aulani resort which is ACTUALLY in Hawaii, as well
as Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Resort.
She’d also be a great fit with the popular Disney Cruise line and perhaps even the environmentally-minded
Animal Kingdom, where you can currently find Pocahontas.
And Moana will actually be Disney’s second aquatic princess after Ariel, with the directors
of The Little Mermaid actually at the reigns here as well.
They also scored with Jasmine, but then did drop the ball with Tiana...
And while Moana isn’t a mermaid, nor does she have cool ice powers, she will be accompanied
on her adventure by the demi-god Maui who could add a little more “fantasy” to the
film.
That’s the character, by the way, that Dwayne Johnson will voice - and sing!
Then again, Johnson is such a strong personality - and star - that Disney will have to be careful
his Maui doesn’t overshadow Moana!
So, will Moana be the next big thing to come out of Disney Animation - a hybrid of Elsa
and Stitch?!
Or will she be yet another disappointment for many fans, sitting on sidelines with Mulan,
Pocahontas and Tiana?
And maybe, just maybe, Maui will be the big new Disney character to come out of this movie...
Write your thoughts down below.
I’m Grace Randolph and this has been a Movie Byte!
You can watch more, right now!