By Savannah Salazar
Ten years ago, Walt Disney Animation Studios took us down to New Orleans with The Princess and the Frog. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker along with producer Peter del Vecho, the film introduced a slew of brand-new, now beloved characters from hard-working heroine Tiana (voiced by Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose), to the devious Dr. Facilier (Keith David) and the musical Louis (Michael-Leon Wooley) and of course, Mama Odie (voiced by Jenifer Lewis).
When the cast and crew behind the film reunited for a special 10th anniversary event at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, Del Vecho—the producer behind Frozen and Frozen 2—said that celebrating this milestone is incredible. “We’re so proud of this movie and the story that we were trying to tell,” he said. “The cast is so unbelievable and Anika Noni Rose just shined.”
Animation supervisor Bruce W. Smith described The Princess and the Frog as an exciting accomplishment. “It feels great to be a part of what we knew was going to be something really historic for the studio,” he said. “We were featuring African American characters as the leads, so myself and fellow animators were so excited.”
Hop down below to hear more from the stars and filmmakers as they recall favorite moments from the film!
