Halle Bailey stars in the new live action The Little Mermaid film
The teaser trailer for the forthcoming live action The Little Mermaid movie by Rob Marshall has surfaced, and Ariel looks as magical as ever. Played by actress Halle Bailey (grown-ish), Ariel is seen swimming through underwater caverns and singing the classic song from The Little Mermaid animated feature, “Part of Your World”.
Bailey’s character is one of the few occasions a Black lead has played as a Disney princess. Since the Live Action The Little Mermaid trailer was released, viral response videos on the internet have captured the moment where Black children view the trailer and get to see a black Disney princess for the first time ever.
Along with Bailey, Javier Bardem (No Country For Old Men), Awkwafina (Shang-Chi), Daveed Diggs (Hamilton), Melissa McCarthy (Spy), and others join as co-stars. Diggs voices Sebastian, the loyal red crab, while Awkwafina voices Scuttle, the diving bird. Bardem has been casted as Ariel’s father, King Triton, and McCarthy as the sea witch antagonist, Ursula.
Here is an official synopsis from Disney for the upcoming live action The Little Mermaid film:
“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.
The Little Mermaid is scheduled to have its theatrical debut on May 26, 2023. Watch the The Little Mermaid trailer below.