Dreamworks Animation finally breaks the 3D color barrier (unless you count green).
It’s pretty sad that in 2014, no major Hollywood studio has released a 3D-animated movie starring a black protagonist. But all that is set to change (it’s about time) with a soon-to-be released film, “Home.”
DreamWorks Animation Studios will finally include a black female as the animated movie’s heroine, adding her to the ranks of all the other characters (green ogres and talking “Antz” included) who have previously starred front and center in a feature film.
Disney came closest to having a black main character with the 2D “Princess and the Frog,” released in 2009. But as far as animation companies go, they’re notoriously behind the times on these sorts of things. Pixar, for example, has never featured a non-white character or voice talent at the center of one of its movies.
“Home” will change all that, by featuring Tip, “an enterprising girl” who befriends the alien Oh, whose fellow ETs have taken over Earth. The two must learn to work together in order to reconcile their populations, in true hero form.
Tip will be voiced by fellow rebel, Rihanna, of all people.
About the author: Katie Gonzalez is a contributing writer covering fashion and feminism. Katie graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Middle Eastern Studies and currently lives in Haifa, Israel, splitting time between academic research and scouting for “The Middle East’s Next Top Falafel Wrap.” She enjoys a hot cup of green tea and a Joan Didion novel to take the edge off her aggressive online shopping addiction. Follow along on Twitter and Instagram: @KatieGonzalez12