The Global Media Site for Entertainment.
Menu
Following a long wait since the July 2019 announcement that Halle Bailey would be performing the lead role of Ariel in the remake of the 1989 classic The Little Mermaid, the full cast and team has finally been announced.
Disney have created several live remakes of beloved cartoon classics in recent years, enticing a whole new generation into the world of stories their parents grew up with. Following a string of successes such as Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, The Little Mermaid has been hotly anticipated for some time since the production was announced last year.
Disney finally named the full cast in a tweet made in December, with some very exciting additions to their already impressive all-star line-up.
The first to be announced was of course, leading lady Halle Bailey who will play Ariel. You might know her best from A Wrinkle In Time and Grown-ish.
Our favourite musical sidekick Sebastian will be played by Daveed Diggs, who you might recognise from a little show called Hamilton.
The adorable Flounder will be played by young rising star Jacob Tremblay, who has two film credits in The Smurfs and Room.
Taking the role of villain Ursula is comedy actress Melissa McCarthy best known for her roles in Bridesmaids and Ghostbusters. Speaking to People, the actress said:
“I have such an affection for Ursula. I know she’s the villain, but I’ve just always kind of been like, ‘Oh my god.’ I mean, she’s kind of delicious to play. I’m just kind of doing it as if I could be like the vaudevillian nightclub act that lives in my heart. It’s just so fun, you can’t go too far with her and I’m excited to see it.”
Ariel’s father King Triton will be played by Javier Bardem, who you may remember from his previous credits in No Country For Old Men and the James Bond film Skyfall.
The object of Ariel’s affections, Prince Eric will be performed by Jonah Hauer-King, who has starred in films The Last Photograph and A Dog’s Way Home.
Taking the comedic reins of Scuttle the seagull is actress Awkwafina, who you may remember from her rise to fame on YouTube, as well as in the film The Farewell.
Not only will The Little Mermaid live remake reprise songs and music from the 1989 original film, it has been announced that there will also be new additions by longstanding Disney composer and the original film’s songwriter Alan Menken, as well as Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is best known for composing Hamilton.
Although initially plans had been put in place for filming to start during 2020, these have obviously been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. At present, if conditions will allow (and we hope they will) then shooting is due to begin in London in January 2021.
With an all-star cast and world-class team behind the production, we cannot wait to experience this new interpretation of classic Disney, and are excitedly looking forward to 2021.
Accessibility At The Smith Center Series: Part One
James “Fitz” FitzSimmons Interview: The Boys In The Band On Netflix
Michelle is a musician and composer from the UK. She has performed across the UK and Europe and is passionate about arts education and opportunities for women and girls.
Read Full Profile
© 2021 TheatreArtLife. All rights reserved.
Thank you so much for reading, but you have now reached your free article limit for this month.
Our contributors are currently writing more articles for you to enjoy.
To keep reading, all you have to do is become a subscriber and then you can read unlimited articles anytime.
Your investment will help us continue to ignite connections across the globe in live entertainment and build this community for industry professionals.
