The upcoming sequel to 2012's Wreck-It-Ralph will move from the nostalgia of arcade games to the complexity of the worldwide web. But since the exciting announcement that the animated film would include a massive crossover with Vanellope and all the official Disney Princesses, the studio has faced one reality of the internet: social media backlash. Over the summer, when part of the scene from Ralph Breaks the Internet was released, Princess Tiana's differing appearance than that of in The Princess in the Frog angered fans. Disney's oly black princess was featured with lighter skin and a narrower nose than Tiana has been previously been seen in her 2009 film. A mere two months before the release of the sequel, Disney is finishing revisions to the character to more credibly depict the Disney princess.
According to a report from Wall Street Journal, Disney Animation has been hard at work on revisions of Princess Tiana's appearance for the scene. The studio sought feedback from voice actress of Tiana, Anika Noni Rose, along with advocacy organization, Color of Change to more accurately depict the Disney character. Color of Change, which focuses on issues of racial representation and political inequality in media, worked directly with Disney in Burbank, CA to review the revised artwork of Tiana-- described as now having darker hair and skin, a wider nose and full lips. The organization released a statement commending Disney for deciding to take the time to change Tiana's features following the backlash.
During a 2017 panel at the D23 Expo, the studio announced that the beloved Disney princesses would be seen hanging out in one room alongside Vanellope. The scene will feature the original voices of most of the princesses, including Mandy Moore as Rapunzel and Jodi Benson as Ariel. The scene will likely be brief, but it certainly creates added excitement for Ralph Breaks the Internet for hardcore Disney fans especially. The film will also feature other sectors belonging to Disney's properties, since Stormtroopers were spotted in the film's released footage. It will also tackle the many other corners of the internet, including some dismal ones as well.
Disney has been no stranger to making expensive decisions due to controversies on social media recently. The company decided to cancel the new ABC television show, Roseanne, after the network star took to Twitter, posting insensitive comments, along with firing Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn for past tweets that gained attention of the internet. The company has dealt with press related to representation regarding animated character's ethnicities and sexual orientations previously, as well. Tiana's revised appearance can be seen when Ralph Breaks the Internet hits theaters on November 21.
