Disney have announced their live-action Ariel, and it’s not who most people were expecting. Relative unknown Halle Bailey – NOT Halle Berry, watch yourself – a 19-year-old American R&B singer has been picked to play the iconic Little Mermaid in the upcoming live remake of Disney’s 1989 hit.
Bailey has only one other acting credit, a supporting role on Grown-ish, but she is signed to Beyoncé‘s Parkwood Entertainment as one half of the duo Chloe x Halle along with her sister. It seems that those very practiced pipes – god she’s got a beautiful voice – are responsible for nabbing her the leading role.
Director Rob Marshall, known for the Disney sequel Mary Poppins Returns, had this to say about the casting:
After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence and substance – plus a glorious singing voice – all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role.
dream come true… 🧜🏽♀️🌊 pic.twitter.com/sndjYUS6wO
— chloe x halle (@chloexhalle) July 3, 2019
The Little Mermaid remake seems set to start production in early 2020, and Melissa McCarthy, Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina have all been in talks to star in the live-action reboot, with Awkwafina signed on to play well-meaning human “expert” Scuttle the seagull, and McCarthy reportedly tapped for everyone’s favourite octopus-shaped, voice-stealing villain, the sea witch Ursula.
Lin-Manuel Miranda will team up with original songwriter Alan Menken to take care of the score, which better be bloody good ‘cos honestly, how do you improve on that original?! If they cut ‘Under The Sea‘ I swear to god there will be blood in the streets of Hollywood.
Although some fans were hoping for Zendaya to nab the coveted role, responses to Bailey’s casting have been overwhelmingly positive – and hey, casting a complete unknown worked out great for the voice of Moana. Is another ocean-themed icon originator in the making? Here’s hopin’.
Disappointed it’s not @Zendaya – but relative newcomer @MenaMassoud worked out great, so looking forward to seeing a “first look” of her as the character soon. As for race-bending the role, with the 1989’s Caribbean setting, only way Disney could go. 💯 #TheLittleMermaid #Ariel https://t.co/F7qVgZmhhX
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) July 3, 2019
A Black Ariel?! This is a mood. pic.twitter.com/igSW5rnLJ5
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) July 3, 2019
This is amazing. Also, I’m not looking forward to the racists who are going to argue why Ariel, a mermaid/imaginary creature that doesn’t exist in real life, can’t be black. https://t.co/ZPy95QGqTw
— X (@XLNB) July 3, 2019
This girl can 100% be Ariel, and if y’all are mad about it….
Complain to your granny, because the rest of us don’t wanna hear it.#ariel #littlemermaid pic.twitter.com/9R437ZAkHg
— Can’t even call it… (@DCisChillin) July 3, 2019
