Disney’s two-minute The Little Mermaid featurette kicks off with the new Ariel, Halle Bailey, describing the original Little Mermaid as changing her world. “Like so many of us little girls, we all just wanted to be mermaids,” says Bailey, adding, “This Little Mermaid reflects what it means to want something greater for yourself.”
The video features new clips from the live-action adaptation along with interviews with director Rob Marshall, Melissa McCarthy (“Ursula”), Awkwafina (the voice of “Scuttle”), Alan Menken, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The film also features Jonah Hauer-King (A Dog’s Way Home) as Prince Eric, Tony Award winner Daveed Diggs (Hamilton) as the voice of Sebastian, and Jacob Tremblay (Luca) voices Flounder. Noma Dumezweni (Mary Poppins Returns) is Queen Selina, Art Malik (Homeland) is Sir Grimsby, and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) plays King Triton.
Oscar nominee Rob Marshall (Chicago) directed from a screenplay by two-time Oscar nominee David Magee (Life of Pi, Finding Neverland). The songs feature music from Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, with new lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda, Marshall, Marc Platt, and John DeLuca produce, with Jeffrey Silver executive producing.
The Little Mermaid will open in theaters on May 26, 2023.
The Plot, Courtesy of Disney:
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.
