Disney’s two-minute trailer for the live-action The Little Mermaid debuted during the 2023 Oscars. The new Ariel and Ursula – Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy – took the stage and introduced the trailer, which was sort of bizarre given that it felt like part of the show rather than a commercial. Weird introduction aside, the trailer’s packed with clips reminiscent of the classic animated film and features Bailey singing “Part of Your World.”
The trailer arrived online following its Oscar debut, along with a new poster and photos.
Joining Bailey and McCarthy in the live-action reimagining are 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, 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 opens in theaters on May 26, 2023.
The Plot:
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.
