Finally! After releasing a dozen feature films with all male protagonists, Pixar’s 13th feature film will have a female heroine! And not just an ordinary girl, she is a Scottish princess called Mérida.
Photo courtesy of BleedingCool
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Ooooh, a spunky redhead who rivals Robin Hood with her bow and arrow? I like her already! 😀 There’s a lot of milestones associated with this project… this is going to be Pixar’s first fairy tale story, conceived by animation filmmaker Brenda Chapman who was originally going to be Pixar’s first director, but now she’s listed as co-director with Mark Andrews. Chapman envisioned the concept to be in the vein of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales.
Here’s the premise per Wikipedia:
Brave is set in the mystical Scottish Highlands, where Mérida is the princess of a kingdom ruled by King Fergus and Queen Elinor. An unruly daughter and an accomplished archer, Mérida one day defies a sacred custom of the land and inadvertently brings turmoil to the kingdom. In an attempt to set things right, Mérida seeks out an eccentric old Wise Woman and is granted an ill-fated wish. Also figuring into Mérida’s quest — and serving as comic relief — are the kingdom’s three lords: the enormous Lord MacGuffin, the surly Lord Macintosh, and the disagreeable Lord Dingwall.
Back in March, EW.com has released some concept art from the project, such as the two below:
The voice cast is appropriately Scottish: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Kevin McKidd, and Craig Ferguson. First reaction: Where is Sean Connery and Gerry Butler? 😀 Glasgow-born MacDonald replaced Reese Witherspoon due to scheduling conflict and I must say I’m glad she did. A Scottish princess ought to have an authentic Scottish accent! Oh, there is also a bit of a Harry Potter cast reunion as Emma Thompson, Julie Walters and Robbie Coltrane will also provide voices for the film.
I pretty much love anything from Pixar, I think the only one I haven’t seen is Cars, which interestingly enough is the lowest scoring Pixar feature on RottenTomatoes (which is still high at 74%). That is amazing that for the past 16 years, the studio manages to keep a stellar record of producing quality films embraced by critics and audience alike. I have a feeling I’d have to update my Top Five Pixar Characters list after watching this one.
BRAVE is set for release in Summer 2012 and the teaser trailer will be released along with Cars 2 next month. I really can’t wait for this!
What do you think, folks? Are you looking forward to this latest Pixar original feature?
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
It’s funny. I’m the same as you… I’ve seen each and every Pixar film except for Cars. I really should just hunker down one night and see the damn movie. In any case, I will be seeing this in theaters. The cast looks absolutely superb and the protagonist already seems like she’s going to be utterly fantastic. But then again, does Pixar do anything else?
My hubby’s been egging me on to see Cars. I’ll see it eventually. I don’t know why I’m not as interested in it since I generally like cars.
Yes I’m with you in your optimism, this one seems poised to be utterly fantastic!
Looks a bit….like…..a Ginger Tangled!!
Sounds cool, you can never fail with Pixar, and having a true scottish cast in the driving seat we will be in for a winner. I do love Kelly Macdonald!
Thanks for sharing oh buddy oh pal!
C
finally, right?
they should have given her glasses tho…right Custie? 😉
i like that she has curly hair though 🙂
Yeah where are the big old rims? Gotta love a gal in glasses!!
😉
He..he… I’m on board w/ the glasses thing, though it’ll be kinda jarring as they’re not invented yet? 😀
@ Paula, I find it perplexing that it took more than a dozen movies before we get a female heroine from Pixar. Oh well, better late than never I suppose.
Knowing Pixar she’ll likely be the best female heroine ever! 🙂
Yeah, and the scenery will be beautiful. I have a fondness for all things Scottish 😀
There’s not too many female protagonists out there in general. Why is an interesting question, there’s a Ph.D. dissertation in there for someone 🙂
Hey Custard, love your new gravatar man, suits you 😉 Still haven’t managed to get tangled yet, from what I hear it will be worth the wait. Just love everything Pixar do, though strangely enough I haven’t seen Cars and am not so keen to see it as I expect only the very highest standards from Pixar now. They’ve spoiled me.
Glad I’m not the only one who haven’t seen Cars. Funny that the lowest scoring Pixar movie is the second one that gets the sequel treatment, not sure it’ll beat Toy Story 2 though.
Looks like Rapunzel in Tangled…hmm….
Everything Pixar has done so far is awesome 😛
Yeah, the hair thing seems to be the first thing people notice… and it’s fiery red, and red is the color for bravery 🙂
I didn’t this is their new flick, looks interesting. I’m sure my niece and nephew will love it since they love all of Pixar’s films. They love Toy Story 3 and I finally watched it myself a couple of weeks ago, it was great.
You should check out Cars, I liked it a lot. Not sure about the second one opening this summer though, looks too cheesy. But I’ll give a rent. I have Cars on BD, let me know if you want to burrow it.
Finally you saw Toy Story 3!! Glad you enjoyed that Ted, yeah this’ll be massively popular w/ the kids I think, just like those princess movies from Disney. But should appeal to adults too I think.
Of course they need a Scottish actress for the lead, I love Reese, but what were they thinking?! Glad to see Kelly in there now. And with both Craig Ferguson and Kevin McKidd, I just might have to see this one in the theater. Too bad there wasn’t room for Sean and Gerry, that would have been one stellar cast.
I know, that’s what I thought too, Becky. I like the all-British cast, w/ Reese it’ll feel too ‘Hollywood’
Ha..ha.. you’ve got another Scottish crush don’t you? Did you remember this post? https://flixchatter.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/is-kevin-mckidd-gerard-butler-no-2/
Pixar can’t do no wrong these days and this looks really cool!
Glad you think so Castor, and for someone who’s usually not keen on animation that means something!
Doesn’t mean I will go and see it!!! 😛
I’m looking forward to any good animated feature! 🙂 And this one seems to be awesome. I really want to see it in original, with such voiceover talents.
The voice cast is excellent indeed, I’m glad Kelly replaced Reese, no offense to Reese but I don’t think she’s a good fit for a Scottish Princess.
Um … why does the SCOTTISH princess have such an obviously SPANISH name? Sorry, that will constantly annoy me, even though I’m typically happy to see strong female protagonists in movies. AND I love Kelly McDonald. But … Merida? With the accent and everything? Really??
Hmmm, perhaps there’s Gaelic roots for the name Merida? I don’t know, but it doesn’t bother me. I’d think Pixar would have done their research 🙂
This looks awesome. I will definitely be anticipating this one
And i see Gerry hasn’t been totally kicked off of your list of movie boyfriends 😛
Hi, dirtywithclass and all:
Pixar does have the good fortune to pick and choose amongst the best at what they do.
I’m with rtm in asking about Sean Connery and Gerard Butler for character voices. Especially after catching ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ and admiring Butler’s work as Stotic The Vast. That it wasn’t Pixar and Butler was supposed to be a Viking never much entered into it.
Having seen ‘Cars’ several times. The story is not as strong as it could have been, but the performances and visual sight gags make it well worth the trip. Just a bit shy of ‘Over The Hedge’ in regard to overall animated satisfaction.
‘Brave’ sounds like it will rock out loud. Especially with its story, cast and renown attention to details.
Hi Jack, glad you think GB is great as Stoick in HTTYD. Obviously he’s chosen because he’s played a Viking before but his deep voice and adorable accent is perfect for VO work. That’s one of the sequel I’m actually looking forward to and I heard all the original voice cast will return.
I still might check out Cars as my hubby likes it. Even if it’s not as strong as the others, it’s still a Pixar creation so it can’t be a ‘bad’ movie.
Glad you’re looking forward to this one also.
@ Julian – He..he.. yes Gerry is still at the top of my movie boyfriends list, and I love his voice so naturally I think he’d be a perfect voice cast for this project.
What a cool set of pics. Pixar always does great so I have no doubts about their soon success. Thanks for showing the pics. Glad Pixar isn’t joining the Snow White wars and is just making their own character instead!
Agreed. I’ not sure why everybody feels like SNow White is in desperate need of a remake
You got that right, T. You can always count on Pixar to give us something original, right? I love the premise of this, and especially having a strong female character at the heart of it!
Disagree. Reversion to the mean is sure to come someday 😉
I have to like this just because of the Scotland thing, but it looks cool, I like the artistry.
Yup, yup, the Scotland thing is definitely a huge appeal for me, too 🙂
Everything Pixar has put out yet has been splendid. I can’t see this being anything less than great.
That’s right Fitz, I think it’s safe to have a high expectation about Pixar movies.
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