May 18 2012
Disney/Pixar bring the Celtic Scots back to the family with new film ‘Brave’
Brave is an upcoming American 3D computer-animated fantasy adventure film. In the film, a skilled archer named Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald), defies an age-old custom, causing chaos in her kingdom. After consulting a mysterious wise old woman (voiced by Julie Walters) for help, her family becomes cursed and Merida is forced to undo the spell herself before it is too late.
The movie is being produced by Pixar, making this their thirteenth feature film, and will be released by Walt Disney Pictures. It was written by Mark Andrews, Steve Purcell, Brenda Chapman and Irene Mecchi, and is being directed by Andrews and Chapman and co-directed by Purcell. The film is scheduled for release on June 22, 2012 in the United States.
The Background to the Story
In Scotland, stories of battles and legends have been passed through generations. Merida (Kelly Macdonald), a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), is determined to prove her worth.
After ignoring an age-old custom sacred to Lords MacGuffin (Kevin McKidd), Macintosh (Craig Ferguson) and Dingwall (Robbie Coltrane), Merida inadvertently causes controversy and chaos in the kingdom. When Merida turns to an eccentric witch (Julie Walters) for help, a curse is inflicted on her. She must now save the kingdom from the curse, and in doing so, discover the true meaning of bravery. [wiki]
Concept Art
Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly, we can get to some see some of the amazing concept art behind what promises to be an amazing film for all the family and especially all Celtophiles everywhere!
![]() ‘Brave’ Merida Concept Art Pic: Entertainmetn Weekly |
| In many ways, Pixar’s 13th feature-length movie Brave (out June 22, 2012) ventures into new territory for the animation studio: The Scotland-set adventure film will be Pixar’s first fairy tale, its first picture starring a female protagonist, and its first film co-directed by a woman.
EW.com has the first look at some of the concept art for the project, and we can also confirm that Reese Witherspoon will no longer voice the movie’s heroine, a tomboyish princess named Merida, due to scheduling issues. Instead, the character will be played by the (appropriately) Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald (No Country for Old Men, Boardwalk Empire). |
![]() ‘Brave’ Castle Bravo Sunset Concept Art Pic: Entertainmetn Weekly |
Announced in April 2008 as The Bear and the Bow, Brave is Pixar’s first fairy tale, and is somewhat darker and more mature in tone than their previous films. The story takes place during the 10th century in the highlands of Scotland; Brenda Chapman considers it as a fairy tale in the tradition of Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm.
Chapman conceived the project and was announced as the director of the film, making her Pixar’s first female director, but in October 2010, she was replaced by Mark Andrews following creative disagreements.
Merida is the first female protagonist in a Pixar film. She was originally to be voiced by Reese Witherspoon, who declined due to scheduling issues. Instead, the character will be voiced by Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald, recently acclaimed for her role as Margaret Schroeder in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.
[wiki]
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