All the way back in 2016Deadline Hollywood reported that Disney was in the early development of a live-action versionof the 1989 runaway success,The Little Mermaid. Following the mostly positive reception of the live-actionBeauty and the Beast, starringEmma Watsonas Belle, andAladdin, withWill Smithas Genie, it seemed only a matter of time until our favorite underwater redhead made a splash too.
RELATED:‘The Little Mermaid’: First Image Reveals Halle Bailey, Confirms Production Has Wrapped on Disney’s Live-Action Remake
Six years and a pandemic later, finally, there is a confirmed release date:26th May 2023. With the infallibleLin-Manuel Mirandaas producer and co-writer of at least four new songs, andStardustwriterJane Goldmanproviding the screenplay, there’s a lot for fans to look forward to. Anyone concerned about awkward human-in-a-suit swimming à laSplash, have no fear! This isn’t directorRob Marshall’s first entanglement with Mer-people. His expert eye for CGI tails is on full display inPirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. There are a few familiar faces under this sea, but where do we know them from?
Halle Bailey as Ariel
As one half of Grammy-nominated RnB duoChloe x Halle, Bailey rose to fame with her sister by her side. The two gained none other thanBeyonce’sattention with their soulful YouTube covers and were signed to her record label in 2015. The duo went on to star in the sitcom andBlack-ishspinoffGrown-ish,which was recently renewed for a fourth season. In 2019, Disney released their official cast list forThe Little Mermaidand the response was mixed, to put it lightly.
RELATED:‘The Color Purple’: Ciara Joins Danielle Brooks and Halle Bailey in Movie Musical
The hashtag #NotMyAriel began trending on Twitter, with some taking offense to Bailey, a Black woman, playing Ariel, a fictional mermaid. The Disney-owned TV network Freeform, on whichGrown-ishis broadcast,released a suitably scathing open letterto the outspoken minority, stating in part “Danish mermaids can be black because Danish people can be black”. Similar attempts to diversify franchises have also been met with heavy criticism. It’s a disappointing attitude that thankfully does not represent the majority of the fans. We can’t wait to see what Bailey does with the part.
Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric
English-American actorJonah Hauer-Kingis a relatively fresh face for viewers across the pond. Cutting his teeth in complex and brooding British dramas, the family adventure filmA Dog’s Way Home(2017), based on the novel byW Bruce Cameron, was Hauer-King’s first international success.
Being cast as the lost and lonely Prince Eric will be the perfect test of his leading man potential. While the animated version’s most notable characteristics are his dimples, Hauer-King now has the opportunity to add depth and vulnerability to the reluctant royal. We just hope fans don’t find out that he’s not a real Danish Prince.
Melissa McCarthy as Ursula
The Emmy award-winning actress burst from the seams of the beloved sitcomMike and Mollyonto a string of Hollywood blockbusters between 2011 and 2018. It was then she earned her second Oscar nomination, this time for her role as notorious fraudsterLee IsraelinCan You Ever Forgive Me?McCarthy has well and truly proven herself as far more than just a phenomenal comic actor.
RELATED:Melissa McCarthy’s Best ‘SNL’ Moments, From ‘Taste Test’ to ‘Arlene’ and Everything in Between
It was long-agreed in the fandom thatQueen Latifahwould make the perfect Ursula, and she certainly did inABC’s specialThe Wonderful World of Disney PresentsThe Little Mermaid Live!.Now that it’s someone else’s turn to take up the mantle as the bodacious villainess, we can’t think of a better fit than charismatic McCarthy. We’ll have to wait and see if this Ursula will make use of the actor’s signature wit, or involve another dark and devious performance.
Javier Bardem as King Triton
The brilliantly diverse and Oscar-winningJavier Bardemis sure to shine as patriarchal King Triton. Bardem’s list of accolades is ridiculously long and impressive. He was nominated for the Best Actor Academy Award for his performance inWhen Night Falls(2000), his second English-speaking role ever, and won his first, for Best Supporting Actor, inNo Country for Old Men(2007). He remains the only Spanish actor to do so.
RELATED:Javier Bardem Really Wants to Ride a Sandworm in ‘Dune 2’
Casting a big-name actor like Bardem in what could have been a smaller part suggests audiences will see a lot more of the royal widower in thislive-action version. Based on the diverse roles he’s taken over the years, we’re confident that he has the skills to embody the powerful but big-hearted father of seven daughters.
Jacob Tremblay as Flounder
Ariel’s best friend Flounder will be voiced by gifted child starJacob Tremblay. Audiences will recognize him from his starring roles inRoom(2015) oppositeBrie Larson, andWonder(2017) withJulia RobertsandOwen Wilson.He also voiced the titular character of the Academy Award-nominated Disney smash,Luca(2021).
Both Tremblay andAwkwafinalent their voices to the animated comedy seriesAnimals.(2016 - 2018), where their raw comedic ability was on full display. Sweet-voiced Tremblay will make a perfect, anxiety-ridden Flounder. His character juxtaposed with Awkwafina’s signature dry quips is sure to be a delight.
Awkwafina as Scuttle
The wise-cracking seagull will in this version be replaced by “a female diving bird… in order to feature the character in underwater scenes.” although, their role of provider of random objects and incorrect uses is to remain intact. Those familiar with Awkwafina will know that if there’s one thing she’s brilliant at, it’s stealing a scene. The rapper and Golden Globe nominee took on small roles inOcean’s Eight(2018) andCrazy Rich Asians(2018) before landing her first starring roles in the very well receivedThe Fairwell(2019) andMarvel’sShang-Chi(2021),the latter of which is due a sequel.
KEEP READING:Awkwafina on ‘Shang-Chi’ and Why She Always Wants to Make the Camera Person Laugh
The change-up of species for this character strongly suggests Awkwafina will be a thrill to listen to as she takes on another voice-acting role. She’s previously done voice work on two of the world’s most famous animated series:The Simpsons(2019) andThe SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run(2020). She’s practically a veteran at this point.
Daveed Diggs as Sebastian
Thefamously-Trinidadian crab composerspent most of the animated classic trying to reason with the headstrong teenager in his charge. Naturally, this left him rather frustrated and at times, fighting for his life. The live-action will see the multi-talented performerDaveed Diggslend his Tony and Grammy-winning voice to the character. Diggs is most well known for originating the role of the Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson in Lin Manuel Miranda’s revolutionaryHamilton(2015).
RELATED:‘Hamilton’ Cast Members Whose Careers Skyrocketed To Success
Diggs is an accomplished vocalist and rapper, heading the experimental hip hop group clipping. He has previously worked with Jacob Tremblay inWonder(2017), and was in the showBlack-ish(2016 - 2022),which inspired our Ariel’s big break onGrown-ish!Like Tremblay, this isn’t Diggs' first Disney voice-acting role. He was the voice of Paul in the criminally underratedSoul(2020). We’re ready for a fresh take on the crustacean maestro with Diggs in the role.
Noma Dumezweni as Carlotta
Another British name with a guest role in every notable drama is Swaziland (now the Kingdom of Eswatini) bornNoma Dumezweni. The Harry Potter fandom willremember her as Hermioneduring the premierHarry Potter and the Cursed ChildWest End run. Having recently appeared in Rob Marshall’sMary Poppins Returns(2018) as Miss Penny Farthing, it’s no wonder the director brought her and co-star Lin-Manual Miranda over to his new project too.
Carlotta in the animated film is a small role as Prince Eric’s (assumed) housekeeper, although it’s never explicitly stated. For this project, she is described as “Eric’s kind housekeeper, who looks after Ariel while she stays in Eric’s castle”. It’s official canon, fans! While there was quite the age difference between Carlotta and Grimsby in the 1989 version, this time the roles have been given to two attractive actors of the same age group. Could another castle romance be on the cards? We’re sure the shippers will be dying to know.
Jude Akuwudike as Grimsby
Taking on the role of Prince Eric’s faithful butler is Nigerian actorJude Akuwudike. The well-rounded thespian has been a mainstay on the British stage and screen since the 90s. In the 1989 animated feature film, Grimsby acts as Prince Eric’s oft-ignored voice of reason. In the new adaptation, he is described as “Eric’s loyal butler and confidant, who sees to it that Eric finds the right girl to marry”.
We couldn’t think of a better fit for the upper-crust butler role than an esteemed performer with a penchant forShakespeare, like Akuwudike. This will be the actor’s first international role. Akuwudike rounds out the fresh and brilliantly diverse cast. The talent is positively overflowing. Bring on 2023!
KEEP READING:15 Best Disney Animated Musical Numbers of All Time, Ranked
