From an interview with Cindy and Don Hewitt (who have handled the English adaptations of most of Disney's Ghibli releases) on Nausicaa.net:
"Whisper of the Heart
Q: The dub for this was completed some time ago, but it still hasn't been released. Can you tell us what the hold up for it is? There has been a lot of speculation among the fans that there was a problem in getting the rights to the song "Country Roads," but that's just pure speculation. Unfortunately, since Disney has never said anything, this speculation is now accepted as fact by a lot of fans. Can you help settle this debate?
A: Actually the recording was halted back in 2003, and the film is still not complete. Just this week we began to record again, and we should have the film completed soon. I believe the film will be released next spring with My Neighbor Totoro and Howl's."
So Whisper of the Heart, My Neighbor Totoro, and Howl's Moving Castle as the Spring 2006 trio? Yes, please.
They also mention that the delay of Totoro was caused by legal issues with Fox. Problems with the expiration of rights and licenses.
"Whisper of the Heart
Q: The dub for this was completed some time ago, but it still hasn't been released. Can you tell us what the hold up for it is? There has been a lot of speculation among the fans that there was a problem in getting the rights to the song "Country Roads," but that's just pure speculation. Unfortunately, since Disney has never said anything, this speculation is now accepted as fact by a lot of fans. Can you help settle this debate?
A: Actually the recording was halted back in 2003, and the film is still not complete. Just this week we began to record again, and we should have the film completed soon. I believe the film will be released next spring with My Neighbor Totoro and Howl's."
So Whisper of the Heart, My Neighbor Totoro, and Howl's Moving Castle as the Spring 2006 trio? Yes, please.
They also mention that the delay of Totoro was caused by legal issues with Fox. Problems with the expiration of rights and licenses.