Brenda Chapman (left), celebrated as the first female director of a Pixar feature film, lost the directing reins yesterday to the upcoming animated feature “Brave.”
According to “The New York Times,” Walt Disney Studios confirmed that Mark Andrews, director of the 2005 Pixar short “One Man Band,” would replace Chapman.
Chapman co-directed the 1998 DreamWorks animation feature “The Prince of Egypt” and had been working on “Brave,” the story of Scottish princess Merida, who pursues archery, for years.
While no longer in charge of “Brave,” Chapman remained on staff at Pixar, a company that cartoon industry veterans point out has a long tradition of changing directors midway through animated features.
No comments yet from Chapman or word if she will remain involved with “Brave” in any capacity.
“Brave” is scheduled to hit theaters in June 2012.