The Swan Princess (film series)

Last updated
The Swan Princess
Created by Richard Rich
Brian Nissen
Original work The Swan Princess (1994)
Owner Crest Animation Productions
Nest Family Entertainment
Streetlight Animation
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Years1994–2023
Films and television
Film(s)
Direct-to-video

The Swan Princess is an animated film series that began with the 1994 film The Swan Princess . There are twelve films in the series as of 2023.

Contents

Films

FilmU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwriterStory byProducers
The Swan Princess November 18, 1994 Richard Rich Brian NissenRichard Rich & Brian NissenRichard Rich & Jared F. Brown
The Swan Princess: Escape from Castle Mountain July 18, 1997
The Swan Princess III: The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure August 7, 1998
The Swan Princess: Christmas November 6, 2012Richard Rich, Seldon O. Young & Jared F. Brown
The Swan Princess: A Royal Family Tale February 28, 2014
The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today! September 6, 2016
The Swan Princess: Royally Undercover March 28, 2017
The Swan Princess: A Royal Myztery March 27, 2018
The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music August 9, 2019
The Swan Princess: A Royal WeddingAugust 7, 2020
The Swan Princess: A Fairytale is BornMay 23, 2023
The Swan Princess: Far Longer than ForeverSeptember 19, 2023

The Swan Princess (1994)

The Swan Princess is a 1994 American animated musical fantasy film based on the ballet Swan Lake . Starring the voices of Jack Palance, John Cleese, Steven Wright, and Sandy Duncan, the film was directed by a former Disney animation director, Richard Rich, and produced by Nest Family Entertainment / Rich Animation Studios and with a music score by Lex de Azevedo. [1] The story follows the relationship between Princess Odette and Prince Derek, who, pushed together by their respective parents, dislike each other as children and teenagers, but develop romantic feelings for each other as adults, get married, and are established as the future rulers of the kingdom. It was released theatrically on November 18, 1994, where it received mixed reviews from critics.

The Swan Princess: Escape from Castle Mountain (1997)

The Swan Princess: Escape from Castle Mountain / The Swan Princess: The Secret of the Castle is a 1997 American animated musical-fantasy film and the direct-to-video sequel to the animated film The Swan Princess. Directed by Richard Rich (who also directed the original), the film follows Derek and Odette one year after their wedding. Their anniversary celebrations are suddenly disrupted by the actions of the wizard Clavius, who wants to regain the Forbidden Arts and destroy their happiness.

The Swan Princess III: The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure (1998)

The Swan Princess: The Mystery of the Enchanted Kingdom / The Swan Princess III: The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure is a direct-to-video film and the third installment in The Swan Princess franchise. It was released in 1998, directed again by Richard Rich, and features the voices of Michelle Nicastro and Brian Nissen as Odette and Derek. This film follows Derek and Odette having to deal with Zelda, a sorceress who is seeking the Forbidden Arts and wishes to use them to destroy Odette and Derek's happiness.

The Swan Princess: Christmas (2012)

The Swan Princess: Christmas is a 2012 American animated fantasy film produced by Crest Animation Productions and Nest Family Entertainment, directed by Richard Rich, and starring the voices of Laura Bailey as Odette and Yuri Lowenthal as Derek. It is the fourth film in The Swan Princess series. The first released in 14 years, it follows the adventures of Odette and Derek celebrating their first Christmas together, while dealing with the return of an old enemy. While the three previous films in the series were animated using traditional 2D hand-drawn animation, The Swan Princess Christmas was the first film to be created entirely with 3D CGI animation.

The Swan Princess: A Royal Family Tale (2014)

The Swan Princess: A Royal Family Tale is a 2014 American animated fantasy film produced by Crest Animation Productions and Nest Family Entertainment, directed by Richard Rich, and starring the voices of Laura Bailey as Odette and Yuri Lowenthal as Derek. It is the fifth film in The Swan Princess series and follows Odette and Derek's adoption of a young girl named Alise, and their battle to defeat the Forbidden Arts. The film marks the 20th anniversary of The Swan Princess. It was released directly to DVD and Blu-ray on February 25, 2014.

The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today! (2016)

The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today is an American 2016 direct-to-DVD animated sequel and sees Alise on an adventure overseas. Produced by Crest Animation Productions, Nest Family Entertainment and Streetlight Productions, [2] it was directed by Richard Rich and stars the voices of Jayden Isabel as Alise and Grant Durazzo as Lucas. [3] It is the sixth film in The Swan Princess series and follows the adventures of Odette and Derek's daughter Alise on her first journey as a member of the royal family overseas. [4] It was released direct-to-DVD on September 6, 2016.

The Swan Princess: Royally Undercover (2017)

The Swan Princess: Royally Undercover is a 2017 animated direct-to-DVD sequel and sees Alise and Lucas on a secret spy adventure. It is a musical comedy film produced by Crest Animation Productions and Nest Family Entertainment, directed by Richard Rich and starring the voices of Laura Bailey as Odette, Yuri Lowenthal as Derek, Jayden Isabel as Alise and Grant Durazzo as Lucas. This seventh film in The Swan Princess series was released on DVD and Digital HD on March 28, 2017.

The Swan Princess: A Royal Myztery (2018)

The Swan Princess: A Royal Myztery is a 2018 direct-to-DVD animated sequel where Odette and her friends investigate the mysterious appearance of the "Z" and learn what it signifies. It was released on March 27, 2018.

The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music (2019)

The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music is a 2019 direct-to-DVD animated sequel where Odette is hosting a music competition to celebrate Princess Alise's birthday. This film commemorates the 25th anniversary of The Swan Princess.

The Swan Princess: A Royal Wedding (2020)

The Swan Princess: A Royal Wedding is a 2020 direct-to-DVD animated sequel where Princess Odette and Prince Derek are going to the wedding of Princess Mei Li and her beloved Chen. But evil forces are at stake, the wedding plans are tarnished, and true love has difficult conditions.

The Swan Princess: A Fairytale is Born (2023)

The Swan Princess: A Fairytale is Born is a 2023 direct-to-DVD animated sequel where Princess Odette and Prince Derek are to be crowned the new king and queen while the former Queen Uberta reveals how her life was turned upside-down when she was crowned.

The Swan Princess: Far Longer than Forever (2023)

The Swan Princess: Far Longer than Forever is a 2023 direct-to-DVD animated sequel where Derek discovers that his father was accused of having deals with pirates forcing him and Odette to go undercover.

The Swan Princess Halloween (2024)

The Swan Princess Halloween is the 2024 upcoming animated sequel which will follows Odette and Derek's daughter, Kate which will discovers that she landed to Africa for the Halloween party.

Cast and characters

List indicator(s)

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.

CharacterFilm
The Swan Princess The Swan Princess:
Escape from Castle Mountain
The Swan Princess:
The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure
The Swan Princess:
Christmas
The Swan Princess:
A Royal Family Tale
The Swan Princess:
Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today!
The Swan Princess:
Royally Undercover
The Swan Princess:
A Royal MyZtery
The Swan Princess:
Kingdom of Music
The Swan Princess:
A Royal Wedding
The Swan Princess:
A Fairytale is Born
The Swan Princess:
Far Longer than Forever
Princess Odette Michelle Nicastro
Liz Callaway O S
Adrian Zahiri Y
Larisa Oleynik Y S
Michelle Nicastro Laura Bailey
Summer Eguchi S
Laura Bailey
Kathryn S. Hill S
Laura BaileyNina HerzogNina Herzog
Amy Shreeve Keeler S
Prince Derek Howard McGillin
Adam Wylie Y
J.D. Daniels Y S
Douglas Sills
Kenneth Cope S
Brian Nissen Yuri Lowenthal
Michaelangelo S
Yuri Lowenthal
David Osmond S
Yuri LowenthalYuri Lowenthal
Sagan Carter Y
Yuri Lowenthal
David Paul Smith S
Jean-Bob John Cleese
David Zippel S
Donald Sage MacKayClayton James Mackay
Speed Steven Wright
Jonathan Hadary S
Doug Stone Doug Stone
Joel Bishop S
Doug Stone
Puffin Steve Vinovich Gardner Jaas
Queen Uberta Sandy Duncan Christy LandersJennifer Miller
Jan Broberg S
Jennifer MillerCatherine Lavin
Lord Rogers Mark Harelik Joseph Medrano
BridgetBess Hopper
Michelle Nicastro D
Rosie MannCameoCatherine LavineCatherine Lavine
Bromley Joel McKinnon Miller
Wes Brewer S
Owen Miller Joe Ochman Silent cameo
Sir Chamberlain James Arrington
Davis Gaines S
James ArringtonCameoJames ArringtonCameoBrian NissanBrian NissenCameo
Rothbart Jack Palance
Lex de Azevedo S
PortraitSean WrightFlashbackFlashback
King William Dakin Matthews PortraitPortraitMichael Sorich
ClaviusJake Williamson
Michael Lanning S
Knuckles Joey Camen
ZeldaKatja Zoch
Michelle Nicastro D
WhizzerPaul Masonson
PeterDoug StoneCameoChris Smith
FerdinandCameoPaul MasonsonBrian NissanBrian NissanBrian Nissan
Princess AliseCarly G. FoglesonJayden Isabel
Olivia Bateman S
Jayden IsabelBleau EssenBleau Essen
LucasGrant DurazzoGrant Durazzo
King SebastianJoe OchmanCameoJoe Ochman
Number 9/JasperDavid Lodge
ScullyJoseph MedranoJoseph MedranoJoseph Medrano
NiccoloDavid Lodge
Count Antonio Kirk Thornton Statue
Prince LiFrancis Huang
Princess Mei Li Stephanie Sheh
Emperor of CatharyGeorge JuFlashback
RuBen King
FangLynna YeeLynna Yee
Stephanie Sheh D
ChenAlexandre ChenAlexandre Chen
Hao Feng S
Lord RombergBrian Nissan
King MaximillianJesse Lapierre
Queen WixomLin Gallagher
Queen AubriMela Lee
King IvanJoe Ochman
King EdgarKirby Garrett
Queen GenevieveMela Lee
King HowardJoe Ochman
CrispinKirby Garrett

Additional crew and production details

FilmCrew/Detail
ComposerLyricist(s)End Credits
title song
Art
Director(s)
Editor(s)Production
companies
Distributing
companies
Running time
The Swan Princess Lex de Azevedo David Zippel & Lex de Azevedo"Far Longer than Forever"
performed by: Jeffrey Osborne & Regina Belle

"Eternity"
performed by: Dreams Come True

Mike Hodgson & James KolemanJames Koford & Arnetta Jackson-Hamlett Nest Family Entertainment,
Rich Animation Studios
New Line Cinema 1hr 30mins
The Swan Princess:
Escape from Castle Mountain
Lex de Azevedo & Clive Romney"Far Longer than Forever"
performed by: Michelle Nicastro & Kenneth Cope

"No Fear (Rap Version)"
performed by: The Swan Princess 2 Cast

Steven E. GordonJoseph Campana & Paul MurphyNest Family Entertainment,
Rich Animation Studios,
Swan II LLC
Legacy Releasing Corporation, Warner Bros. Family Entertainment,
Warner Home Video
1hr 11 mins
The Swan Princess III:
The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure
"Because I Love Her"
performed by: Connell Moss
James D. Koford & Paul MurphyNest Family Entertainment,
Rich Animation Studios,
Swan III
Columbia TriStar Home Video 1hr 11mins
The Swan Princess:
A Royale Family Tale
J BatemanJenny Frogley & J Bateman"Right Where I Belong"
performed by: Charice
Kyung Duk KimJoseph L. CampanaSony Wonder,
Nest Family Entertainment,
Crest Animation Productions,
Motion Makers Animation Studio Pvt. Ltd.
Sony Pictures Entertainment1hr 19mins
The Swan Princess:
Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today!
J Bateman & Tyler Castleton"I'll Be Your Star"
performed by: Macy Kate
Everette JBob WebberSony Wonder,
Nest Entertainment Productions,
Nest Family Entertainment,
StreetLight Animation
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment1hr 21mins
The Swan Princess:
Royally Undercover
"Born to Be Me"
performed by: Macy Kate
Ajit GangawaneSony Wonder,
Nest Family Entertainment,
StreetLight Animation
1hr 19mins
The Swan Princess:
A Royal MyZtery
J Bateman, Emily Pearson & Rob Moffat"After All"
performed by: Lexi Mae Walker
Arvind Chaurasiya1hr 19mins
The Swan Princess:
Kingdom of Music
J BatemanEverette JBob Webber Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions 1hr 22mins
The Swan Princess:
A Royal Wedding
J BatemanJoe Campana1hr 23mins
The Swan Princess:
A Fairytale is Born
J Bateman"Let The Curtain Rise"
performed by: Taylor Bateman
1hr 23mins
The Swan Princess:
Far Longer than Forever
J Bateman"Far Longer than Forever"
performed by: Bo Jacqueline & R. George Banner
1hr 23mins

Related Research Articles

<i>The Return of Jafar</i> 1994 film

The Return of Jafar is a 1994 American direct-to-video animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Television. It is the first sequel to Disney's 1992 animated feature film, Aladdin, and serves as the pilot to the Aladdin animated television series.

<i>Aladdin and the King of Thieves</i> 1996 animated film

Aladdin and the King of Thieves is a 1996 American direct-to-video animated musical fantasy adventure film produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. It is the second sequel to Disney's 1992 animated feature film Aladdin, and it serves as the final chapter and installment of the Arabian Nights-inspired Disney franchise beginning with the first film, and continuing with its first direct-to-video sequel The Return of Jafar and the animated television series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yuri Lowenthal</span> American voice actor (born 1971)

Yuri Lowenthal is an American voice actor, producer, and screenwriter known for his work in cartoons, anime, and video games. Some of his prominent roles in animations and anime include Sasuke Uchiha in Naruto, teenage Ben Tennyson in Ben 10, Jinnosuke in Afro Samurai, Simon in Gurren Lagann and Suzaku Kururugi in Code Geass. In video games, he voices Lorath Nahr in Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo III, The Prince in Ubisoft's Prince of Persia, Hayate/Ein in Dead or Alive, Matt Miller in Saints Row: The Third and Saints Row IV, and Peter Parker / Spider-Man in various video games associated with the character, notably the incarnation featured in the Marvel's Spider-Man series by Insomniac Games.

<i>The Swan Princess</i> 1994 American film

The Swan Princess is a 1994 American animated musical fantasy film based on the ballet Swan Lake. Featuring Michelle Nicastro, Howard McGillin, Jack Palance, John Cleese, Steven Wright, Sandy Duncan, and Steve Vinovich, the film is directed by former Disney animation director Richard Rich and scored by Lex de Azevedo. The film was distributed by New Line Cinema in the United States and by Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International outside the US. It was released theatrically on November 18, 1994, and grossed $9.8 million against a $21 million budget, becoming a box-office bomb, partly due to struggling competition with a re-release of The Lion King (1994). The film later became popular through home video releases and has since been followed by a series of direct-to-video sequels starting in 1997.

Richard James Rich is an American director, producer, and screenwriter. Rich is founder and owner of Crest Animation Productions. Rich started his career in the mailroom of the Walt Disney Studios in 1972 and would give piano lessons during lunch breaks. He was chosen by John Lounsbery to be an assistant director for Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too based on his musical expertise. He made his directorial debut on The Fox and the Hound.

<i>Barbie of Swan Lake</i> 2003 Canadian film

Barbie of Swan Lake is a 2003 animated fantasy film co-produced by Mainframe Entertainment and Mattel Entertainment, and distributed by Artisan Home Entertainment.

<i>Mulan II</i> 2004 animated film

Mulan II is a 2004 American animated children's film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and DisneyToon Studios and distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment. The film was directed by Darrell Rooney and Lynne Southerland and produced by Jennifer Blohm, from a screenplay written by Michael Lucker, Chris Parker, and Roger S. H. Schulman. It is the sequel to Walt Disney Feature Animation's 1998 animated feature film Mulan, featuring songs written by Jeanine Tesori and Alexa Junge and a musical score composed and conducted by Joel McNeely. Much of the voice cast from the first film returned, excluding Eddie Murphy (Mushu), Miriam Margolyes, James Hong (Chi-Fu), Chris Sanders, and Matthew Wilder. Murphy, Margolyes, and Sanders were replaced by Mark Moseley, April Winchell, and Frank Welker, respectively, while Gedde Watanabe does his own singing for the sequel. Mulan II features Mulan and her new fiancé, General Li Shang on a special mission: escorting the Emperor's three daughters across the country to meet their soon-to-be fiancés. Meanwhile, Mushu attempts to break up their relationship to keep his pedestal. The film deals with arranged marriages, loyalty, relationships, making choices, trust, and finding true love.

<i>Cinderella III: A Twist in Time</i> 2007 film by Frank Nissen and the third and final installment of the Cinderella media franchise

Cinderella III: A Twist in Time is a 2007 American animated musical fantasy film produced by DisneyToon Studios and distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment. Directed by Frank Nissen from a screenplay written by Dan Berendsen, Margaret Heidenry, Colleen Ventimilia, and Eddie Guerlain, it is the third installment in Disney's Cinderella trilogy, and a sequel to Cinderella (1950) and Cinderella II: Dreams Come True (2002). Set one year after the first film, Cinderella III: A Twist in Time follows Lady Tremaine who steals the Fairy Godmother's magic wand, using it to reverse time and prevent Cinderella from marrying the Prince. The film's voice cast consists of Jennifer Hale, C. D. Barnes, Susanne Blakeslee, Tress MacNeille, Russi Taylor, and Andre Stojka, most of whom continue to replace the 1950 film's cast by reprising their roles from Cinderella II: Dreams Come True.

<i>The Trumpet of the Swan</i> (film) 2000 film by Richard Rich

The Trumpet of the Swan is a 2001 American animated drama film produced by Nest Family Entertainment and RichCrest Animation Studios, directed by Richard Rich & Terry L. Noss, and distributed by TriStar Pictures.

Crest Animation Productions was an Indian-American animation studio located in Burbank, California, United States. The studio's most well known work include Alpha and Omega and The Swan Princess.

<i>The Swan Princess: Escape from Castle Mountain</i> 1997 American film

The Swan Princess: Escape from Castle Mountain, alternatively known as The Swan Princess and the Secret of the Castle in European territories, is a 1997 American animated musical-fantasy film and the first direct-to-video sequel to the 1994 animated film The Swan Princess. Directed by Richard Rich, the film follows Derek and Odette's first anniversary of their wedding being disrupted by the actions of a wicked magician, Sir Clavius, who wants to find a magical orb, the source of the Forbidden Arts, and take over the world. The film was released on July 18, 1997. It is the only film in the series not to be distributed through Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Chronologically, this film takes place after The Swan Princess: Christmas, since Odette mentions this as the first Christmas since her father's death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven E. Gordon</span> Animator, film director

Steven Eric Gordon is an American film director, character designer and animator, who is perhaps most well known for his work with animation film director Ralph Bakshi and on X-Men: Evolution.

<i>Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams</i> 2007 American film

Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams is a 2007 American direct-to-video animated musical film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Disneytoon Studios. It was the first and only film released for a planned Disney Princess Enchanted Tales series of direct-to-video films, each featuring new stories about the Disney Princesses. It was released on September 4, 2007 by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Michael Emlyn Young is a Welsh Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning producer. He is the founder of two animation companies in both the UK and the US. His company in 2015 changed its name from Mike Young Productions to Splash Entertainment, which also is a majority owner of Popular AVOD network Kabillion.

<i>The Swan Princess III: The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure</i> 1998 American film

The Swan Princess III: The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure, alternatively titled The Swan Princess: The Mystery of the Enchanted Kingdom, is a 1998 American animated direct-to-video musical adventure film and the third installment in The Swan Princess franchise. It was directed again by Richard Rich, and features the voices of Michelle Nicastro and Brian Nissen as Odette and Derek. This film follows Derek and Odette having to deal with Zelda, a sorceress, who is seeking the Forbidden Arts and wishes to use it to destroy their happiness.

<i>Barbie</i> (media franchise) Multimedia franchise featuring Barbie

Beginning with the release of an eponymous video game in 1984, Barbie, a fashion doll manufactured by American toy and entertainment company Mattel and debuted on March 9, 1959, has been featured in a media franchise predominantly consisting of a film series and media formats across technologies like television and the Internet. Since then, it has become one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time and has been referred to among fans as the "Barbie Cinematic Universe".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel St. Pierre</span> American filmmaker

Daniel St. Pierre is an American film director, art director, production designer, voice actor, animator, and musician. For his work in bringing the Deep Canvas technique to the Disney film Tarzan (1999), he received a 1999 Annie Award nomination for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Feature Production.

Nest Family Entertainment is an American family entertainment company based in Coppell, Texas. It was formed on July 1, 1988 as Family Entertainment Network by Jared F. Brown, Stephen W. Griffin, and Seldon O. Young. The company has produced several dramatized radio series, animated films and TV series since the '80s which include the Animated Stories from the New Testament, The Swan Princess,The King and I, and The Scarecrow among others.

<i>The Swan Princess: Christmas</i> 2012 American film

The Swan Princess: Christmas is a 2012 American animated fantasy family film directed by Richard Rich, produced by Crest Animation Productions and Nest Family Entertainment. It is the fourth film in The Swan Princess series, and the first in 14 years. It follows the adventures of Odette and Derek celebrating their first Christmas together. While the three previous films in the series were animated using traditional 2D hand-drawn techniques, The Swan Princess Christmas was the first in the series to be created entirely with 3D CGI animation.

<i>The Swan Princess: A Royal Family Tale</i> 2014 American film

The Swan Princess: A Royal Family Tale is a 2014 American animated fantasy adventure film produced by Crest Animation Productions and Nest Family Entertainment, directed by Richard Rich and starring the voices of Laura Bailey as Odette and Yuri Lowenthal as Derek. It is the fifth film in The Swan Princess series, and follows Odette and Derek's adoption of a young girl named Alise along with their defeating the Forbidden Arts. It was released direct-to-DVD and Blu-ray on February 25, 2014 for the franchise's 20th anniversary. A sixth film titled The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today was released on September 6, 2016.

References

  1. Lenburg, Jeff (2009). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons (3rd ed.). New York: Checkmark Books. pp. 230–231. ISBN   978-0-8160-6600-1.
  2. "About Swan Princess" . Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  3. "'The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today' Available on DVD Sept. 6" . Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  4. Sony Pictures Entertainment (27 June 2016). "The Swan Princess: A Princess Tomorrow, A Pirate Today OFFICIAL TRAILER" . Retrieved 28 October 2016 via YouTube.