Disney shows first black princess

Disney's next animated fairy tale, The Frog Princess, will feature the studio's first black princess.

Maddy is an African-American girl living amid the faded grandeur of New Orleans' French quarter.The movie will also see a return to the hand-drawn animation process, instead of using computer animation that has become the industry standard. The film will be made by John Musker and Ron Clements, the team behind The Little Mermaid and Aladdin.

Walt Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook said: "The film's New Orleans setting and strong princess character give the film lots of excitement and texture." Composer and singer Randy Newman will provide music for the film, which promised an "unforgettable tale of love, enchantment and discovery with a soulful singing crocodile, voodoo spells and Cajun charm," a Disney spokesman said.

The studio said its new princess will be added to its collection of animated princesses used at the company's theme parks and on consumer products. The film is set for release in 2009.