Next summer's release of Brave will not only mark the first non-sequel release by Pixar in several years, but it will also represent the first time the innovative studio has featured a female heroine. We were treated to the delights of the teaser trailer that came out this past summer, but now we get to feast our eyes on the new feature trailer that Pixar officially released today. It looks to be another solid entry in Pixar's arsenal of original innovative animation. In the fall of 2010, Mark Andrews (One Man Band) was brought in to replace Brenda Chapman as director, but upon first glance, there appear to be no ill effects on the final product.

The Brave story is a bold mixture of Scottish myth, epic adventure, and legendary fairy-tale all wrapped in an ethereal shroud of earthy animation. It is set in the mystical Scottish Highlands, where Merida (Kelly Macdonald of Boardwalk Empire fame) is the princess of a kingdom ruled by King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson). An unruly daughter and an accomplished archer, Merida one day defies a sacred custom of the land and inadvertently brings turmoil to the kingdom. In an attempt to set things right, Merida seeks out an eccentric old Wise Woman (Julie Walters) and is granted an ill-fated wish. Also figuring into Merida’s quest — and serving as comic relief — are the kingdom’s three lords: the enormous Lord MacGuffin (Kevin McKidd), the surly Lord Macintosh (Craig Ferguson), and the disagreeable Lord Dingwall (Robbie Coltrane). Every time we watch this trailer, we can't help becoming totally entranced by the hyper-realistic depiction of Merida's curly red locks.

Brave is set to hit theaters on June 22 of next year. in the meantime, be sure to check out the trailer for Brave below: