The Little Mermaid live-action remake has cast its Ariel, and we’re so ready to go under the sea
Update, July 3rd, 3:45 p.m. EDT: The role of Ariel has been cast in the live-action The Little Mermaid! This post has been updated to reflect that information.
After years of production speculation, the live-action reimagining of The Little Mermaid is officially a go and casting is already underway. As with Beyoncé in The Lion King and Will Smith in Aladdin, it’s clear Disney is targeting A-list celebrities for roles in its series of remakes scheduled in the next few years. And now that the first three actors have officially signed on to The Little Mermaid, fans are happy to give their two cents about which big names should round out the cast.
Variety reported this morning that Awkwafina will voice Scuttle, Ariel’s goofy seagull friend, gender-bending the role originally played by Buddy Hackett. Jacob Tremblay will voice her nervous BFF, Flounder.
This afternoon, July 3rd, The Hollywood Reporter announced that production has officially found its Ariel. Grown-ish actress and one half of Chloe x Halle, Halle Bailey, will play the titular mermaid.
Bailey showed her excitement about the role on Twitter, calling it a “dream come true,” and so many others joined in.
dream come true… 🧜🏽♀️🌊 pic.twitter.com/sndjYUS6wO
— chloe x halle (@chloexhalle) July 3, 2019
Imagine Halle with ombré red dipped locs under the sea pic.twitter.com/qQXKc8Xznk
— Joi Childs (@jumpedforjoi) July 3, 2019
excited for new #Ariel 🙏 pic.twitter.com/K0wRyAZImX
— em ☀️☀️ (@emcorm) July 4, 2019
no doubt she’s Ariel pic.twitter.com/PxgiVjh9m8
— char ♡ (@tigerstae) July 4, 2019
After fans misread the casting news, Halle Berry chimed in with love for Halle Bailey.
In case you needed a reminder… Halles get it DONE. Congratulations @chloexhalle on this amazing opportunity, we can’t wait to see what you do! #TheLittleMermaid #HalleBailey pic.twitter.com/z0Rik2nxRe
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) July 3, 2019
Before the casting announcement, a newly red-haired Zendaya seemed to be the fan-favorite choice for Ariel. However, Zendaya herself is showing love for Bailey.
Yeeeeessss!! Here for thiiiissss!! @chloexhalle ♥️♥️🙌🏽🙌🏽 https://t.co/8hpuSKb4rD
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) July 3, 2019
Though not official, Melissa McCarthy is reportedly in talks to star as Ursula, the villainous sea witch. While fans seem excited about Awkwafina and Tremblay, the McCarthy rumors have been met with mixed reactions on social media. Though many people (including celebrities) have expressed their love for McCarthy, they see a different star as the iconic villain: Lizzo.
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1144765007558787072
Even @Lizzo's lyrics deserve to be Ursula. pic.twitter.com/zvcCqNKwhL
— Rosa Pasquarella (@whatrosasaid) June 29, 2019
Lizzo herself even weighed in, and she seems 100% on board.
The singer retweeted a video of herself in full Ursula costume from Halloween 2018 with just a pleading eyes emoji.
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) June 29, 2019
And it’s not just Ursula whom fans have dream-casted. Disney fans have their thoughts on who should play Prince Eric. Harry Styles, Sebastian Stan, Henry Cavill, and BTS singer Jimin, seem to be social media’s top choices.
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1144799744260288514
Funny how we’ve never seen Jimin or prince Eric from the little mermaid in the same room together pic.twitter.com/SWp8nxcVQh
— apple⁷ (@PR0DS0PE) June 30, 2019
While other details, including a release date, are currently under wraps, the film will feature new music from Alan Menken—who won two Oscars for his work on the 1989 animated film—and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Until we learn more, we’ll just be in our rooms singing “Part of Your World.”
Disney’s next live-action film is Jon Favreau’s very star-studded The Lion King, which will be released later this month.
