Walt Disney Studios released the latest trailer for “The Little Mermaid” during the Oscars, Hollywood’s biggest night for film. The live-action adaptation, helmed by Rob Marshall, is a reimagining of the animated classic that helped launch the studio’s renaissance phase. Now with Halle Bailey, the latter half of ChloeXHalle, playing the titular character, we are getting a better look at Atlantis and our first look at Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula.
There isn’t really much break down in terms of the story since it looks like it remains faithful to the animated original. That being said, we get to hear a little more of Bailey singing more of the “The Little Mermaid” iconic song, “Part of Your World.” Considering that we heard the song at the D23Expo last year, it’s a film that will showcase Bailey’s talents as a singer. The trailer also contains some of those unforgettable moments in the animated film that have been transformed into real life. So it should be fun to see how Marshall transformed the rest of it and included the new songs, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, into the film.
“The Little Mermaid” also stars Jonah Hauer-King (“A Dog’s Way Home”) as Prince Eric; Tony Award® winner Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton”) as the voice of Sebastian; Awkwafina (“Raya and the Last Dragon”) as the voice of Scuttle; Jacob Tremblay (“Luca”) as the voice of Flounder; Noma Dumezweni (“Mary Poppins Returns”) as Queen Selina; Art Malik (“Homeland”) as Sir Grimsby; with Oscar® winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”) as King Triton.
“The Little Mermaid” is directed by Oscar® nominee Rob Marshall (“Chicago,” “Mary Poppins Returns”)with a screenplay by two-time Oscar nominee David Magee (“Life of Pi,” “Finding Neverland”). The songs feature music from multiple Academy Award® winner Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin”) and lyrics by Howard Ashman, and new lyrics by three-time Tony Award® winner Lin-Manuel Miranda. The film is produced by two-time Emmy® winner Marc Platt (“Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” “Grease Live!”), Miranda, two-time Emmy winner John DeLuca (“Tony Bennett: An American Classic”), and Rob Marshall, with Jeffrey Silver (“The Lion King”) serving as executive producer.
Here’s the official plot synopsis for “The Little Mermaid:”
“The Little Mermaid” is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
