Fairy finally finds a voice

Brittany Murphy will play Tinker Bell, not to be confused with Paris Hilton's dog, for a direct-to-video Disney release.

Disney announced Tuesday, June 20 that the "Sin City" actress will provide the voice for Peter Pan's sassy fairy friend for the CG-animated feature film "Tinker Bell," to be released in 2007.

"I've had the good fortune of playing many interesting characters, but none as magical as Tinker Bell," says Murphy. "To give Tinker Bell a voice for the first time in history is such an honor."

It's possible she's only referring to Disney's version of Tinker Bell. Julia Roberts portrayed and spoke for the tiny fairy in the live-action take on the J.M. Barrie tale "Hook." Dating back to the Barrie's stage play, when the fairy was presented as a flying point of light beamed from offstage, Tinker Bell has traditionally been played as mute except for the "tinkling" of a bell to express her moods and thoughts.

"Tinker Bell is such an indelible character to pop-culture even without a voice," adds. Dick Cook, chairman of Walt Disney Studios. "She is sassy, feisty and independent. Brittany's distinctive voice and superb talent will bring all these qualities to life, as well as show new sides to Tink's personality. Audiences will get to know Tinker Bell like never before, and I am sure will fall in love with her all over again."

"Tinker Bell" is the next step for the Disney Fairies line of stories and products, which was launched with the book "Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg" novel, written by acclaimed "Ella Enchanted" author Gail Carson Levine. Disney Fairies builds on the world of Pixie Hollow featuring Tinker Bell and her other fey pals. At least three more films are tentatively planned for the Disney Fairies line.

Murphy, whose hair has ranged from blonde to brunette, won't have to worry about dyeing her hair for the animated film, but it's likely she won't be able to trot out her Texan red-necked Luanne voice from "King of the Hill" to play the fairy.

The actress has starred in "Clueless," "Don't Say a Word," "8 Mile," "Uptown Girls" and "Sin City." She's also lending her voice to Warner Bros.' upcoming family film "Happy Feet," about a penguin who likes to tap dance.