‘The Little Mermaid,’ another one of Disney’s live-action reimaginings, now has its Ariel: Halle Bailey. She is one half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle.
Bailey is currently in the Freeform series ‘Grown-ish,’ which is airing its second season. Her other credits include the Disney Channel series ‘Austin & Ally’ and the Disney Channel Original Movie ‘Let it Shine.’
She joins Jacob Tremblay (‘Room,’ ‘Wonder’), who plays Ariel’s companion Flounder, and Awkwafina (‘‘Ocean’s 8,’ ‘Crazy Rich Asians’), in the role of Scuttle, now as a diving bird instead of a seagull. Melissa McCarthy (‘Bridesmaids,’ ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’) is in talks to portray Ursula, the sea-witch.
The premise of the animated film is below:
“A mermaid princess (Bailey) makes a Faustian bargain in an attempt to become human and win a prince’s love.”
Moreover, Rob Marshall (‘Chicago’) will reunite with writer David Magee (‘Life of Pi’) on this film. The two recently did last year’s ‘Mary Poppins Returns.’ The previous draft of the screenplay was from Jane Goldman (‘X-Men: First Class,’ the ‘Kingsman’ films).
Additionally, the film will incorporate songs from the original 1989 version. Returning composer Alan Menken (‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘Aladdin’) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (‘Hamilton,’ ‘Moana’) will also create new music.
Further, filming is aiming to begin April 2020, with the studio looking to wrap sometime in August. Locations may include the Cayman Islands and South Africa. Maro, La Cala, Torre del Mar, Almayate, Chilches, Benajarafe, and Torrox are also possible.
There is currently no release date as of now, but it will likely release sometime in 2021. Options include March 12th, May 28th, July 30th, and October 8th.