I’ll say this much for the Mouse: He ain’t exactly subtle.
As you can see by all the enormous “Disney Fairies” banners that were hanging in the lobby of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center yesterday morning …
Photo by Jeff Lange
… Disney Consumer Products was anxious to make a really big splash at this year’s Licensing Show. You know? That annual toy & merchandising event that trend-spotters simply have to go to in order to discover what’s going to be driving kids crazy in the next year or so?
Anyway … What’s ironic about this whole situation is that … What DCP hopes will be its next big thing is a brand-new brand that’s actually built around one of the company’s tiniest characters: Tinker Bell.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Mind you, up until just recently, Ms. Bell wasn’t able to speak for herself. Mostly because … Well, that’s how playwright J.M. Barrie originally envisioned this character. As the silent sprite who assists the boy who never grew up. Peter Pan’s pixie pal.
Well, starting in 2007, that all changes. Tinker Bell will be stepping out of Peter Pan’s shadow and begin speaking for herself.
“But who will be providing Ms. Bell’s voice?,” you ask. Well, in a carefully choreographed press conference yesterday morning, Disney Consumer Products chairman Andy Mooney …
Photo by Jeff Lange
… with the help of Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook (plus a few “Disney Fairies” wanna-bes) …
Photo by Jeff Lange
… revealed that actress Brittany Murphy had been tapped to provide vocals for Tinker Bell.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Best known for her work in films such as “Uptown Girls” and “Little Black Book,” Brittany seemed genuinely thrilled to have landed the Tinker Bell gig. Speaking from the podium, Ms. Murphy said that:
“I’ve had the good fortune of playing many interesting characters, but one as magical as Tinker Bell. To give Tinker Bell a voice for the first time is such an honor.”
And clearly the folks at Disney were jazzed that Ms. Murphy had agreed to play Ms. Bell. Which is why president of DisneyToon Studios president Sharon Morrill first gave Brittany a big hug (as well as a Tinker Bell -shaped bauble) …
Photo by Jeff Lange
… Then Ms. Morrill & Ms. Murphy posed with Mooney and Cook for the usual sorts of photos …
Photo by Jeff Lange
… Before confetti rained down from above. Which officially signaled the end of yesterday’s press conference.
Photo by Jeff Lange
“So when exactly do I get to hear how Brittany sounds as Tinker Bell?,” you query. I’m afraid that you’ll have to wait another 16 months or so ’til the first of four “Disney Fairies” video premieres. That film — which is tentatively titled “Tinker Bell and the Ring of Belief” — is expected to be on store shelves no later than November of next year. Just in time for the 2007 holiday shopping season.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Mind you, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Disney Consumer Products has in store for its new “Disney Fairies” brand. And I’ll be getting around to more of those stories here at JHM in the coming weeks.
But — for now — I thought that you might enjoy taking a look at some of the great pictures that Jeff Lange took at yesterday’s press conference. Which explains today’s somewhat slender story … Which also got posted rather late. Sorry about that.
Anyway … What are your thoughts on Brittany? Is Ms. Murphy a good choice for the voice of Ms. Bell? Or would you prefer that Peter Pan’s pal have remained mute?
Your thoughts?