Walt Disney delays 'Tinker Bell' release

BURBANK, Calif., Dec. 21 (UPI) -- The Walt Disney Co. has been forced to delay next year's DVD release of "Tinker Bell," effectively disrupting one of its new promotional campaigns.

The animated DVD film had originally been planned to launch a 2007 Disney campaign oriented towards young girls, but the Los Angeles Times said "Tinker Bell" will not see the light of day until 2008 at the earliest.

Actress Brittany Murphy lends her voice to the film's title character that originated in the classic Walt Disney film "Peter Pan."

Not only will "Tinker Bell" mark the beginning of the new promotional campaign, but the project also represents the first efforts of Pixar executives John Lasseter and Ed Catmull with the iconic film studio.

The Times said that the duo were brought to the Walt Disney Co. as part of an effort to help the studio meet with the same animated success as Pixar had with films like "Finding Nemo" and "Cars."