Rodgers & Hammerstein Cinderella with Brandy, Whitney Houston and Whoopi Goldberg drops

Fans have been waiting for the premiere of the 1997 Rodgers & Hammerstein television movie, Cinderella, on Disney + since the launch of the streaming service in autumn 2019.

And on Thursday, Brandy, who played Cinderella, revealed during a virtual interview with The View co-host, Whoopi Goldberg (who played Queen Constantine in the film), that the film finally debuts on Disney +.

The exciting news arrives 24 years after the debut of the groundbreaking film, which has been praised over the years for its diverse cast.

Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella will arrive at Disney + on Friday, February 12th.

The incredible news came from Cinderella herself – singer / actress Brandy, 41 – who revealed the news virtually during her appearance on The View Thursday.

The artist was talking to Whoopi about the project that has touched so many lives since its debut.

‘It is now quite remarkable that people have begged for Cinderella to be relaunched after almost years. I mean, what do you think? ‘Whoopi asked Brandy.

Whoopi jokingly added ‘Is it possible?’ a play from one of the most famous songs in the film called Impossible.

Brandy replies, ‘It is definitely possible. I thank the fans because Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella … can I say now? ‘to whom Whoopi says’ yes!’

‘It’s all right!’ Brandy says with a laugh. ‘Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella debuts at Disney + on Friday, February 12 in the United States.’

View co-hosts applauded the news when Brandy added, ‘I’m so excited! I’m so excited that Cinderella now has a home on Disney + and we can celebrate, share and inspire a whole new generation to see this wonderful piece. ‘

The film was originally released on November 2, 1997 on the ABC network, produced by Walt Disney Television.

The TV movie was directed by Robert Iscove, written by Robert L. Freedman and based on the French fairy tale by Charles Perrault.

The diverse cast included Brandy, Whoopi, Whitney Houston, Jason Alexander, Veanne Cox, Natalie Desselle Reid, Paolo Montalban, Bernadette Peters and Victor Garber.

The film is the second remake of Rodgers and Hammerstein – with the original aired in 1957 on TV with Julie Andrews as the star; The original Disney animated film arrived in 1950.

The late Whitney Houston played Fairy Godmother in the film and also served as a co-producer.

Whitney had initially approached the producers of the musical adaptation for TV Gypsy (which aired in 1993) about making a remake of Cinderella by Rodgers & Hammerstein, but the development was delayed for several years.

When Disney got the go-ahead, Whitney felt he had gotten over the role and asked Brandy to play Cinderella.

Brandy became the first black actress to portray Cinderella on the screen; the diverse cast was a choice made by producers to reflect how society evolved in the nineties.

The film, which originally received warm reviews, became ABC’s most-watched TV musical in decades, with the network’s largest Sunday audience in 10 years.

Over 60 million people tuned in to watch the iconic movie, as well as its original music, which included Impossible, In my corner, Ten minutes ago, A lovely night and I love you because you are beautiful? ‘

The film received seven Emmy nominations the following year and won Best Art Direction for a variety of musical programs.

Fans of the iconic movie have been waiting for the movie to launch on Disney + since the streaming service began in November 2019.