Director Rob Marshall said that after “intense quests,” Halle Bailey was chosen to give Ariel life in the live action of the Little Mermaid because he has “a rare combination of spirit, soul, youth, innocence, and substance, that not to mention the outgoing voice. ” In the original Little Mermaid, Jodi Benson’s voice belonged to Ralph Breaks the Internet, and her character was also played by JoAnna Garcia in the ABC Once Upon a Time series.
Even though Halle Bailey is the only actress whose presence in the show has yet been confirmed, she is not the only name mentioned in the project. Melissa McCarthy is in the books to play Ursula, the main negative figure, while Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina were cast as Ariel, Flounder and Scuttle’s friends. Zendaya (Spider-Man: Far from Home) also expressed her interest in Ariel’s role.
Halle Bailey became known for her voice alongside her sister Chloe, the two being known as Chloe & Halle. The two sisters played in Last Holiday in 2006, now playing Jazlyn and Skylar of Grown-ish at Freeform. The Little Mermaid will be the first production in which Halley does not play with his sister.
Behind the room, alongside Rob Marshall (Chicago, Into the Woods and Mary Poppins Returns), who signs the direction, production is signed by John DeLuca, Marc Platt, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The new adaptation will include songs on the original soundtrack, composed by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as some new songs, Menken playing music and Miranda lyrics.
Disney had different approaches to live-action movies over the years. If some are simply remakes, others have assumed some creative freedoms. Judging by the available information, it seems that the Little Mermaid will be in the first category: Halle Bailey’s character, Ariel, will humanize and fall in love with Prince Eric.
Assuming that Melissa McCarthy, Jacob Tremblay, and Awkwafina will indeed be part of the new Little Mermaid, there are three important roles: Eric, King Triton, and Sebastian. Disney announced that “new announcements” on the project are to be made next week, so it’s an interesting bet on who will be featured in the distribution by the end of July or August.
The Little Mermaid has not yet announced a premiere, but production has been scheduled for early 2020.
