Disney remake The Little Mermaid proceeds at speed with the reveal of its core cast. The classic 1989 animation, widely credited with kickstarting the 'Disney reinaissance' period, is getting a makeover courtesy of Mary Poppins Returns filmmaker Rob Marshall. And the cast is a pleasingly diverse one, populated by established faces and newcomers.
Screen newcomer Halle Bailey plays the eponymous Ariel, the mermaid who dreams of making it onto dry land. And Bridemaids' Melissa McCarthy plays Ursula, the wicked sea witch who grants Ariel her wish – at a price. Check out the following tweet for a full rundown of the cast members.
Meet the cast of Disney's The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, @Awkwafina, @DaveedDiggs, @JacobTremblay, @MelissaMcCarthy & Javier Bardem. Directed by Rob Marshall, featuring music from the animated original & new music by @AlMenken & @Lin_Manuel Miranda. pic.twitter.com/lXp0p2mVrE
— Disney (@Disney) December 11, 2020
As mentioned in the tweet, the original composer Alan Menken is back to write several new songs. He's joined by Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda, now an established Disney powerhouse with the likes of Moana and Mary Poppins Returns in his back pocket. (He's also writing the songs for Disney's forthcoming animation Encanto.)
The Little Mermaid may be scheduled for a November 2021 release date but nothing has been confirmed yet. There is a slot left open that month for an "untitled live-action Disney movie", so stay tuned to the blog and Twitter @Cineworld for more details.
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