Disney fans got a glimpse of Ariel, Eric and Queen Selina in the upcoming live-action adaptation of The little Mermaid.


By Weekly entertainment, a series of exclusive photos from the anticipated film showcase the cast and crew in all their Disney glory. Among them is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child star Noma Dumezweni in first look at her role as Queen Selina, mother of Jonah Hauer-King’s Prince Eric in The little Mermaid. On the story at the heart of the film, Dumezweni said, “It’s this feeling that the babies are two strangers to their origin story and then meet again… There’s this feeling of, ‘We recognize each other. when we find out what the other has been through.”

CBR VIDEO OF THE DAYSCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

RELATED: Little Mermaid Live-Action Sebastian Design Surfaces

Fans can also see Hollywood icons Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy as King Triton and evil Ursula, respectively. In December 2022, it was reported that the test audience praised McCarthy’s performance as a stunning portrayal of the classic Disney villain. The original songs from the story’s final retelling, however, have been described as “hit-and-miss”, although test audiences indicated that the film performed just as well as the 2019 live-action adaptation of Aladdin.


Halle Bailey as Ariel in The Little Mermaid

The latest live-action adaptation of a beloved Disney animated classic, The little Mermaid is set to star Halle Bailey in the eponymous role of Ariel, while the main trio of animated supporting characters Flounder, Scuttle and Sebastian will be voiced by Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina and Daveed Diggs, respectively. Bailey’s casting caused an outpouring of racist reaction, which took director Rob Marshall by surprise. “I didn’t expect that because, in a way, I felt like we were so past that stuff,” the director said. “But then you realize, in a way that we don’t. It was very moving for me to see how important this type of casting is to the world.”

RELATED: Disney’s The Little Mermaid Poster Reveals Trailer Release Date and Major Ariel Change

Bailey herself has opened up about the subject, explaining that she was not shocked by the response. “I know people are like, ‘It’s not about race.’ But now that I’m her…” Bailey said. “People don’t understand that when you’re black, there’s this whole other community. It’s so important for us to see each other.”

Bailey also discussed the feminist twist that the film gave to her character. “I’m really excited for my version of the movie because we definitely changed that perspective of just wanting to leave the ocean for a boy,” Bailey noted. “It’s so much bigger than that. It’s about herself, her purpose, her freedom, her life and what she wants…I’m glad Disney is updating some of these themes.”

The little Mermaid is set to hit theaters on May 26.

Source: Weekly entertainment