The kindhearted and beautiful Enchanted heroine Giselle would make the perfect Disney Princess, but she's mysteriously absent from the company's official line-up. Audiences first met Giselle (Amy Adams) in 2007 when Enchanted hit theaters. A blend of classic Disney 2D animation and live-action, Enchanted sees the animated Giselle exiled from her kingdom of Andalasia and transported to the loud, cynical live-action world of New York City. A total fish out of water, Giselle eventually finds her happily ever after while learning that the world is a lot more complex than she thought.

Enchanted was a smash hit with audiences and critics alike, earning over $340 million at the worldwide box office (via reception to Disenchanted was decidedly mixed, but once again, Adams' Giselle was hailed as a highlight.

Giselle Isn't A Disney Princess Due To Compensation Issues With Amy Adams

The Studio Would Have Had To Pay Lifelong Rights To Use The Giselle Actress' Image

With her sunny demeanor, beautiful gowns, and desire for true love, it seems like adding Giselle to the Disney Princess lineup would be a no-brainer. In fact, there were plans to do just that. Disney even displayed the Giselle doll at the 2007 Toy Fair, with the doll's packaging declaring the Enchanted heroine an official Disney Princess (via The Wall Street Journal). However, the plan was ultimately scrapped when Disney realized this would mean paying Amy Adams for the lifelong rights to use her image, which the studio wasn't willing to do.

Even though Giselle isn't a Disney Princess, Disney still released Enchanted merchandise featuring Amy Adams' likeness as the character.

This makes sense, as all of the other Disney Princesses are original animated creations not specifically based on any real person's likeness. And while Adams has every right to ask for rightful compensation, it's a shame Disney couldn't reach an agreement with her to make Giselle a Disney Princess. Giselle is the perfect bridge between the classic old-school Disney princesses and the more recent additions. Enchanted director Kevin Lima describes her as, "She is about 80% Snow White, with some traits borrowed from Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, although her spunkiness comes from Ariel of The Little Mermaid." (via USA Today)

Giselle very much wants to find her dream man, which is a trait not seen in more contemporary Disney Princesses like Moana and Brave's Merida. However, like these modern heroines, Giselle has more going on than wanting to get married. At the end of Enchanted, she's running a fashion business, and Disenchanted sees Giselle rescued not by a man in armor, but by her stepdaughter. Giselle is a timeless character, and her absence in the Disney Princess lineup leaves a void.

Other Beloved Characters Who Should Be Disney Princesses

Frozen's Anna & Elsa Should Be Leading The Pack

Giselle isn't the only Disney heroine whose absence in the Disney Princess lineup has raised a few eyebrows. Shockingly, Frozen's Anna and Elsa are not official Disney Princesses. Given how influential the Frozen franchise has been on popular culture, it's a bit puzzling, but there could be a few reasons for this.

First, neither sister is a princess at the end of Frozen 2, with Elsa becoming protector of the Enchanted Forest and abdicating the Arendelle throne to Anna, who becomes a queen. Second, Frozen has generated over $5 billion worth of merchandise (via Indiewire), so Anna and Elsa don't exactly need the Disney Princess bump.

Other characters who deserve to be Disney Princesses are Esmeralda from The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Megara from Hercules. While neither is royalty by the end of their respective movies, they are both determined, whip-smart, and resourceful, yet incredibly kind. They were the last leading ladies of the Disney Renaissance era, and ushered in a new, more progressive kind of heroine. Whether it's Giselle in Enchanted or any of these other great characters, being a Disney Princess shouldn't be about a royal title; it should be about character.