Fired Brave Director Slams Disney Over Merida Makeover

Filmmaker Brenda Chapman, who was infamously fired by Pixar as the director of Brave and replaced by a man, has joined the chorus criticizing Disney's makeover of Brave's heroine Merida for her induction as Disney's 11th official princess.

Merida's new look, which was revealed for the May 11th induction ceremony at Disney World in Orlando, was met with almost immediate criticism by many fans and parents. The remodeled Merida is less quirky, thinner, and more refined-looking than the original Pixar version.

Angry fans have already petitioned Disney chief Robert Iger to "say no" to the Merida makeover, a petition that's already garnered 19,000 signatures. The petition reads in part: "The redesign of Merida in advance of her official induction to the Disney Princess collection does a tremendous disservice to the millions of children for whom Merida is an empowering role model who speaks to girls' capacity to be change agents in the world rather than just trophies to be admired. Moreover, by making her skinnier, sexier and more mature in appearance, you are sending a message to girls that the original, realistic, teenage-appearing version of Merida is inferior; that for girls and women to have value -- to be recognized as true princesses -- they must conform to a narrow definition of beauty."

Now Brenda Chapman has spoken out against her former employer's decision to redesign Merida for their princess collection. "There is an irresponsibility to this decision that is appalling for women and young girls," Chapman told the Marin Independent Journal. "Disney marketing and the powers that be that allow them to do such things should be ashamed of themselves."

"They have been handed an opportunity on a silver platter to give their consumers something of more substance and quality — THAT WILL STILL SELL — and they have a total disregard for it in the name of their narrow minded view of what will make money," said Chapman. "I forget that Disney's goal is to make money without concern for integrity. Silly me."

The studio's official statement on the matter to Yahoo! Shine said: "Merida exemplifies what it means to be a Disney Princess through being brave, passionate, and confident and she remains the same strong and determined Merida from the movie whose inner qualities have inspired moms and daughters around the world."

Although fired from the project, Chapman -- the first woman to direct a Pixar film -- shared Brave's Oscar for Best Animated film with her replacement Mark Andrews.