Meet Shelley Marie, Disney’s tribute to Frankenstein writer Mary Shelley.
Announced by the Los Angeles Times this week, Disney is getting set to introduce a brand new character this Halloween in the form of Shelley Marie, an “anti-princess” who will be making her grand debut as part of the “Villainous!” light show at Disney California Adventure.
The outlet reports, “The young Shelley Marie – her name a play on “Frankenstein” author Mary Shelley – is a celebration of the individual, and an acknowledgment from the happily-ever-after factory that “normal” isn’t one size fits all.” The character’s appearance, they note, was inspired by Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family and Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice.
Shelley is the creation of Disney animator Eric Goldberg, whose credits include Aladdin and Moana. Goldberg describes her, “She has the vulnerabilities of a little girl, but she’s got this side to her. She doesn’t do anything wantonly evil, but she has this thing pulsing in her DNA.”
“Villainous!” will run for 20 nights this Halloween season, part of the “Oogie Boogie Bash.”
Could a movie be in Shelley Marie’s future? Here’s hoping!
