Disney's next
direct-to-video sequel will be a follow-up to Brother Bear , which grossed $85 million at the box office
in 2003. Brother Bear 2 hits DVD on August 29
and features three original songs from Melissa Etheridge.
"I was so honored
that they thought of me," Etheridge said. "I brought
my kids in, and we watched the movie while it was still
just rough pencil tests. [But] the artists had already put
so much life into the characters, and every now and
then there would be a color picture, so I knew what
was coming."
As often is the
case with Disney sequels that are released directly to
video, many of the voice stars from the original theatrical
feature will return. Jeremy Suarez reprises his voice
role as Koda, while Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas are
back as the mixed-up moose duo of Rutt and Tuke.
Disney also is bringing in some high-profile actors to voice
the new characters in Brother Bear 2, including Patrick Dempsey as Kenai, Mandy
Moore as Nita, Wanda Sykes as Innoko, and Andrea
Martin and Catherine O'Hara as moosettes Anda and Kata.
(Thomas K. Arnold, Reuters)