Lost in the wave of teeth-gnashing over Cars 2 is that fact that Pixar is still Pixar -- a more reliable producer of critically acclaimed popular entertainment cannot be found in Hollywood. As such: Let's get excited about Brave, the next next Pixar film and the studio's first non-sequel since Up in 2009. How is this one going to look?
Pretty epic. EW got its hands on some concept art from the film -- about a bow-and-arrow proficient princess in the Scottish Highlands -- and it already looks like nothing Pixar has ever attempted before. Which is a good, if only because it keeps things fresh.
You'll recall that Brave was once called The Bear and the Bow, and was to be directed by Brenda Chapman -- Pixar's first female director. She left the project and was replaced by Mark Andrews, but according to Disney, both will receive credit. Reese Witherspoon also left Brave -- she was set to voice the princess -- and has since been replaced by Boardwalk Empire's Kelly Macdonald.
Brave should hit theaters on June 22, 2012.