(Updated 03/20/2023)
Disney has had great success and built new audiences with live-action remakes of some of the studio's biggest animated classics. The next movie in line is THE LITTLE MERMAID, coming this spring. The live-action movie retails the story of Ariel, a mermaid who discovers love on the surface world and finds herself drawn into a new life she had never imagined.
The first full LITTLE MERMAID trailer is finally out, and it offers a good look at Halle Bailey as Ariel while also showing off the movie's colorful vision of the story. Check it out below and read up on everything we know about the new LITTLE MERMAID.
When Does The Little Mermaid Come Out?
Disney will release THE LITTLE MERMAID exclusively in movie theaters on May 26, 2023.
Watch The First Little Mermaid Trailer
The debut teaser for LITTLE MERMAID showed little more than a glimpse of the movie's new version of Ariel, played by Halle Bailey. The first full trailer, however, embedded above, shows off quite a lot of the movie. We see how Ariel comes into contact with a human, and how she turns to Ursula for a transformative method for learning how humans live. And there's a lot more!
Who's In The Little Mermaid?
THE LITTLE MERMAID stars singer Halle Bailey (“grown-ish”) as Ariel. Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton,” “Snowpiercer”) provides the voice of Sebastian the crab, while Jacob Tremblay (LUCA, ROOM) is the voice of Flounder. Rounding out the key voice cast is Awkwafina (RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON) as the voice of Scuttle.
Jonah Hauer-King (A DOG’S WAY HOME) plays the young man who captures Ariel's heart, Prince Eric. Art Malik (“Homeland”) appears as Sir Grimsby while Noma Dumezweni (MARY POPPINS RETURNS) plays Queen Selina and Javier Bardem (NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN) plays King Triton.
Finally, in what might be the movie's most important role, Melissa McCarthy (CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?, BRIDESMAIDS) plays the malevolent Ursula. If the first trailer is any indication, McCarthy may have her best role yet in the villainous undersea witch.
The Score And Songs In The Little Mermaid
The score for THE LITTLE MERMAID was written by Alan Menken, who may be the most important member of the new movie's crew. He won two Oscars for the music in the animated version, after all. If anyone is the voice of the movie, it's Alan Menken.
There are also new versions of classic original songs, and all-new songs with music by Menken and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The trailer lets us hear some of their work.
The Filmmakers Behind The Little Mermaid
The new movie is directed and co-written by Rob Marshall, who has a lot of musical experience. He made the movie versions of CHICAGO and INTO THE WOODS, and also directed MARY POPPINS RETURNS. David Magee (LIFE OF PI) gets the primary screenwriting credit, and he worked out the story with Marshall and John DeLuca, based on Hans Christian Anderson's original story and, obviously, Disney's previous animated adaptation.
THE LITTLE MERMAID opens on May 26.
All images courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures.