Disney cuts controversial Princess Merida makeover

Princess Merida in Brave. Photo/supplied

Disney has called off its 'sexy' makeover of Brave hero Merida after a flood of complaints from fans.

Merida, a headstrong red-headed princess with unkempt hair and a normal figure in the 2012 animated film, was given narrowed hips, altered hair and a redesigned dress for an upcoming toy line.

Brave creator Brenda Chapman was among those to speak out against the a makeover, calling it "atrocious" in a piece for the Marin Independent Journal.

"When little girls say they like it because it's more sparkly, that's all fine and good but, subconsciously, they are soaking in the sexy 'come-hither' look and the skinny aspect of the new version. It's horrible," she wrote.

A petition on change.org opposing the redesign has gained more than 200,000 signatures.

Multiple reports say Disney has now pulled the redesigned character from its website in the face of the protests.

A statement from the company to NBC news said: "We routinely use different art styles with our characters and this rendition of Merida in her party dress was a special one-time effort to commemorate her coronation."

A Mighty Girl, which launched the change.org petition, said news the new Merida had been pulled from Disney.com was "exciting".

However, its Facebook post called for Brave fans to keep fighting to "keep Merida brave".

-nzherald.co.nz