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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Here's what we know about Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' live-action film

Here's what we know about Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' live-action film

Published Feb 16, 2023 05:47 pm

In 1989, film production giant Walt Disney Pictures brought the magic of Hans Christian Andersen's beloved fairy tale, "The Little Mermaid," to the big screen through an animated feature. Since then, the story of Ariel, the mermaid princess of the fictional underwater world Atlantica, has been adapted onstage as a musical play. Her journey continued on through "Return to the Sea" sequel film, the prequel movie "Ariel's Beginning," and "The Little Mermaid" TV series. 

This 2023, Disney will once again gift everyone a nostalgic movie experience with the live-action adaptation of the animated classic. While we patiently wait for Ariel's return to the big screen, we've listed below some things you should know about the studio's latest live-action project.

Who will be part of it?

Casting is crucial in bringing "The Little Mermaid" come to life. In 2019, the studio announced that Grammy-nominated singer Halle Bailey will be portraying the role of Ariel. 

"I feel so grateful to have experienced this film in all of its glory.. It has been the toughest experience being away from everything and everyone I've ever known, to feeling self-doubt/loneliness, but also feeling such freedom and perseverance as I've reached the end," Bailey shared on social media. "This experience has made me so much stronger than I ever thought I could be."

Joining Halle in the film are actors Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Bardem as King Triton, and Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric. Rounding up the cast are Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, and Jacob Tremblay, who are voicing characters Sebastian, Scuttle, and Flounder, respectively. While actors Noma Dumezweni and Simone Ashley are also reported to appear in the movie, their roles, though, are yet to be revealed. 

Who are the creatives behind it?

The live-action adaptation of "The Little Mermaid" is led by director Rob Marshall. Together with him are David Magee and Jane Goldman who penned the screenplay. Much like the past live-action adaptations of the studios, fans can expect a few tweaks in the story of the upcoming film.

Will there be singing in the live-action adaptation?

It is hard to think of "The Little Mermaid" without the iconic tunes of Alan Menken. According to reports, the Oscar-winning composer worked with "Hamilton" creator Lin Manuel Miranda in creating new songs for the film.

Did the cast act underwater to make the film?

The filming of the movie was delayed due to the global pandemic, but it kicked things off in 2021 and completed everything by July of that year. While putting actors underwater as they perform has been a trend in the movie industry—think of "Avatar: The Way of Water" and "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"—the same couldn't be said in "The Little Mermaid"'s case, well, in most parts.

"We shot against blue screen, so we weren’t really underwater," Marshall told Deadline. "So she had a wig cap on, so the hair is digital, but what’s interesting about it is that half of the movie is above water, so we actually have her hair… so they were working from an actual hairstyle that we created for her in real life and they just had to make it move in water."

What about trailers?

Disney first released a trailer of the film during D23 Expo in September 2022, which gave fans a first look at Halle as Ariel, showcasing her singing prowess as she belts the movie’s anthem “Part of Your World.”

Its second teaser, released on Feb. 16, offered a glimpse of Atlantica, Jonah as Prince Eric, and Melissa as the sea witch Ursula.

When will it be released?

"The Little Mermaid" live-action movie is slated to hit the cinemas on May 26, 2023. 

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