Terrence Howard Co-stars in the Disney Animated Film “The Princess and The Frog”

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG” is inspired by the fairy tale “The Frog Prince” from the Brothers Grimm. But the filmmakers put their own spin on the story. Screenwriter Rob Edwards says the writing process is an extremely collaborative one. “Most of my writing is done while walking through the halls and talking to the storyboard artists and the animators and some of the voice talent and the directors,” he says. “The easy part is going back to my office and just writing it.”

On the bend of the Big River, New Orleans sparkles with opulence, adventure, romance, music and magic. Here in the “once upon a time” of the Jazz Age 1920s, among the wrought-iron balconies and beckoning alleyways of the French Quarter and environs, a most unusual tale unfolds.

Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) is an attractive, independent, hardworking young woman. She has no time for romance and the dalliance of dreams, she has a love of cooking, and plans to be a successful restaurateur, fulfilling the love of food that is her father’s legacy. But in spite of her hard work and diligence, obstacles keep Tiana’s goals out of reach.

Down on the Mississippi riverfront, a handsome and gregarious jazz fanatic has arrived in the Crescent City: the royal outcast Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos) from far-off Maldonia. A little spoiled, irresponsible and indolent, perhaps, Naveen has made his way through life on his good looks and undeniable charm. His position attracts the evil Dr. Facilier (Keith David), a practitioner of dark magic, whose effort to steal Naveen’s royal privilege results in the handsome prince’s transformation into a frog.

Edwards says his goal was simple: “I want to tell an honest story about two wonderful people who meet and fall in love. I want to tell it to my friends and my friends’ sons and daughters, and that’s it.”

Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard (“Hustle & Flow”) costars as James, the father of Tiana and serves as her inspiration. She is the legacy of his love: a strong, loving father who has instilled his daughter with her ethics and with a familiar bond in New Orleans residents: their love of good food. “You see,” James tells little Tiana, “food brings folk together from all walks o’ life. It warms ’em right up, and puts smiles on their faces—and when I open my own restaurant people are gonna line up for miles, just to get a taste of my food.”

During press interviews at the Walt Disney Animation Studios in Los Angeles, Howard talked about “The Princess and The Frog” and shared his views on the importance of this groundbreaking film --

“I think when they began the production on this film Barack Obama wasn’t in the White House so it’s very apropos that we have two African American princesses [in the White House] at the same time that this movie is coming out.  It’s just a happy accident, a wonderful ‘coinky-dink.’  There has always been nobility in every culture and in every race just the same way there are geniuses in every culture and every race; it’s nice to have that aspect seen in a Disney platform.”

While his role is measured throughout the film, it looms large in the pivotal role as the father of young Tiana.  To that he said, “Taking this role was really one of the easiest roles I’ve ever done because as James, I was talking to my own little girls.  I’ve got two daughters who are my princesses and they gave me the words for what we needed to say, but, the inspiration of how to say it came from a natural inclination to teach my own children.  I hope this movie will set a landmark and a precedent for other culturally diverse films.  I’m very happy that Disney took this step but I’m looking forward to having more of it.  I mean, Disney has always covered most of the world in the films that they have made because The Little Mermaid was a fish but every little girl could relate to that little mermaid.  With Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse you never wondered about whether they were black or white: every child could relate and associate with those characters.  I’m just looking forward to the numbers coming back from this film being very good and being happy to have participated.”