Who's Who Wednesday: Merida: NOT Your Mother's Princess!

Meet Merida, Disney's newest addition to their exclusive Disney Princess Line.

Brave Merida

gimmesomebrave

Merida, voiced by Kelly Macdonald, is the lead character in the soon to be released Disney/Pixar film: Brave.

Merida is very special, for many reasons.

• Merida is the first female protagonist in a Pixar film.
• Pixar rewrote its animation system for the 1st time in 25 years to make the complex visuals in Merida's film possible.
• Merida had Pixar's first ever female director--Brenda Chapman--who also developed Merida's character and story. Chapman was replaced (due to creative differences) by male director Mark Andrews, and co-director Steve Purcell, making Merida the first Pixar character to have two directors.
• Merida's Brave is Pixar's first fairy-tale and first period piece (set in ancient Scotland).
• Merida is the first Pixar character to be included in Disney's Princess Line.

Watch for Merida in the Disney Princess Lineup!
http://www.fanpop.com/spots/disney-princess/images/24660357/title/disney-princess-line-up-with-cinderella-pink-dress-photo

Brave is set in medieval Scotland.

Merida on her home turf

Pixar Place

Merida is a headstrong princess more interested in archery, adventure, and independence than finding her Prince Charming. Her mother, Queen Elinor, tries to make Merida conform to royal tradition, which ultimately leads to trouble.

Merida's Mom, Queen Elinor, pays the price of trying to change her daughter.

Animation with a moustache

Brave is the story of Merida's struggle to overcome the harm her non-conformity has created.

Some feel Merida--due to her lack of interest in finding her prince--is not a true Disney Princess. But maybe it's time for a new definition of what makes a princess? 

That's what Brenda Chapman believed, and that's for you to decide after watching Princess Merida in Brave.