07-07-2019, 10:27 PM
Disney's Live-Action Little Mermaid Casts Ariel; More Cast Members Rumored
<p>Disney's 1989 animated classic The Little Mermaid is getting a live-action reboot. While some cast members are still in talks over deals, Walt Disney Studios has announced that lead character and mermaid princess Ariel will be played by Halle Bailey (Grown-ish, Last Holiday) of R&B duo Chloe x Halle.</p><p>The Hollywood Reporter <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/little-mermaid-movie-melissa-mccarthy-talks-play-ursula-1221772">reported in late June 2019</a> that this live-action reimagining is seeking Melissa McCarthy (Ghostbusters, Tammy) to play sea witch Ursula. Subsequently, THR <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/disneys-live-action-little-mermaid-eyes-jacob-tremblay-awkwafina-1221947">reported earlier this month</a> that both Nora "Awkwafina" Lum (Crazy Rich Asians, Ocean's 8) and Jacob Tremblay (Room, Wonder) are in talks to play Scuttle and Flounder, respectively.</p><p>Rob Marshall (Mary Poppins Returns, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) sits in the director chair, with John DeLuca (It Remains, Mary Poppins Returns) producing and David Magee (Life of Pi, Mary Poppins Returns) writing the script. Famed Disney Animation composer Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Ralph Breaks the Internet), who scored the 1989 original and Guy Ritchie's recent <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/aladdin-2019-movie-review-disneys-live-action-adap/1900-6417147/">Aladdin remake</a>, will write the music for the live-action adaptation. Lin-Manuel Miranda (Moana, Star Wars: The Force Awakens) will assist Menken by writing lyrics.</p><p>AMC and Netflix teamed up in 2018 to release The Little Mermaid, written and directed by Blake Harris. This version starred Gina Gershon (Blockers, Riverdale), Poppy Drayton (Unhallowed Ground, Writers Retreat), Shanna Collins (Breaking the Girls, Sassy Pants), Shirley MacLaine (The Last Word, Valentine's Day), and William Moseley (Friend Request,<i> </i>The Silent Mountain).</p><p>Production on the new The Little Mermaid reboot is expected to begin in early 2020.</p>
<p>Disney's 1989 animated classic The Little Mermaid is getting a live-action reboot. While some cast members are still in talks over deals, Walt Disney Studios has announced that lead character and mermaid princess Ariel will be played by Halle Bailey (Grown-ish, Last Holiday) of R&B duo Chloe x Halle.</p><p>The Hollywood Reporter <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/little-mermaid-movie-melissa-mccarthy-talks-play-ursula-1221772">reported in late June 2019</a> that this live-action reimagining is seeking Melissa McCarthy (Ghostbusters, Tammy) to play sea witch Ursula. Subsequently, THR <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/disneys-live-action-little-mermaid-eyes-jacob-tremblay-awkwafina-1221947">reported earlier this month</a> that both Nora "Awkwafina" Lum (Crazy Rich Asians, Ocean's 8) and Jacob Tremblay (Room, Wonder) are in talks to play Scuttle and Flounder, respectively.</p><p>Rob Marshall (Mary Poppins Returns, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) sits in the director chair, with John DeLuca (It Remains, Mary Poppins Returns) producing and David Magee (Life of Pi, Mary Poppins Returns) writing the script. Famed Disney Animation composer Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Ralph Breaks the Internet), who scored the 1989 original and Guy Ritchie's recent <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/aladdin-2019-movie-review-disneys-live-action-adap/1900-6417147/">Aladdin remake</a>, will write the music for the live-action adaptation. Lin-Manuel Miranda (Moana, Star Wars: The Force Awakens) will assist Menken by writing lyrics.</p><p>AMC and Netflix teamed up in 2018 to release The Little Mermaid, written and directed by Blake Harris. This version starred Gina Gershon (Blockers, Riverdale), Poppy Drayton (Unhallowed Ground, Writers Retreat), Shanna Collins (Breaking the Girls, Sassy Pants), Shirley MacLaine (The Last Word, Valentine's Day), and William Moseley (Friend Request,<i> </i>The Silent Mountain).</p><p>Production on the new The Little Mermaid reboot is expected to begin in early 2020.</p>