According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney has hired Dreamgirls actress Anika Noni Rose to voice the role of Princess Tiana in the animated musical The Princess and the Frog. Previously known as The Frog Princess, the 2D feature project is conceived by John Musker and Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules), who are directing the pic for a holiday 2009 release.

Set in New Orleans, The Princess and the Frog will introduce the newest Disney princess, a young African-American girl living in the French Quarter. The story also involves a soulful singing crocodile, voodoo spells and lots of Cajun charm. The movie’s songs and score will be written by Oscar-winning songwriter/composer and New Orleans native Randy Newman, who previously contributed to the Toy Story Films and fellow Pixar hits A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc. and Cars. Disney animation vet Peter Del Vecho (Chicken Little) is producing.