Anonymous parties close to Disney have leaked word that the company is delaying the release of Tinker Bell, the direct-to-video feature being developed as the centerpiece of the new Disney Fairies franchise. Featuring actress Brittany Murphy (King of the Hill) as the voice of Peter Pan’s diminutive friend, the DisneyToon Studios production was slated for release in 2007 but will instead debut in 2008 or later.
Like a number of Mouse House toon productions, Tinker Bell apparently needs some fixing now that it’s under the thumb of Pixar principals John Lasseter and Ed Catmull. The pair came in when Meet the Robinsons was in production and ordered some major changes and recently pulled Lilo & Stitch director Chris Sanders off of his America Dog feature as they work to set a new course for Disney-produced animate features. And while a DVD movie tailored to young girls may seem like small potatoes for the guys behind such blockbusters as Toy Story and Finding Nemo, the Disney Fairies property has the potential to make a lot of money for the studio, just as its Disney Princesses line. Featuring such beloved characters as Cinderella and Ariel from The Little Mermaid, Disney Princesses generated around $3 billion at retail.
Disney Consumer Products debuted the Disney Fairies property in 2005 with a series of best-selling chapter books. The franchise is being further supported by a line of dolls, role-play items, a Disney Fairies magazine launch in Europe and a multi-category product roll-out that was scheduled for spring of 2007. Those merchandising plans are sure to change as well without an animated feature to help drive sales.
Murphy, best known to toon fans as the voice of Luanne on Fox’s King of the Hill, will be the first voice ever given to Tinker Bell, who was a silent character in Disney’s 1953 animated classic, Peter Pan. As the star of her own movie, the sassy sprite will introduce kids to her secret, magical world of Pixie Hollow and a new circle of enchanting fairy friends. Murphy made a live appearance at the New York Licensing Show to promote the title.
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