Beyond some concept art, we haven’t seen much from Pixar’s upcoming animated Highland adventure Brave. This original fairytale about a Scottish princess with a mind of her own is set to hit theaters summer of 2012, and thanks to a release from Disney Pixar France we can catch a look at the first CGI image of the film’s princess Merida.
Disney describes Brave as a “new tale that joins the lands of ancient lore, stories of epic battles and mystical legends passed down for generations” against the “rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland.” It is about “the grand adventure of Merida, a skilled archer who confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest beasts to discover the true meaning of courage.” And, of course, Brave will be “full of heart, memorable characters and Pixar’s signature humor.”
Boasting an eclectic collection of voice talents, audiences will be treated to the lilting accents of Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire) as Merida, as well as Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson and Robbie Coltrane.
Not only will this 3-D animated family flick feature a female lead (finally, Pixar), but it was originally being written and directed by Brenda Chapman (Prince of Egypt). She left the project last fall though, and Mark Andrews stepped in to finish directing the film. Apparently, they will get co-directing credits.
I have high expectations for this fairytale set in the Scotland of yore. Merida’s fly-away red hair is appropriately wild and untamed, and this willful princess looks to be a nice addition to Disney’s royal stable. The CGI animation powerhouse Disney Pixar usually doesn’t disappoint (though I might rethink the Cars sequel). Below are a few shots of the new image, plus one of the original concept art it’s based on.
