Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid comes to life with a new trailer. Following recent efforts like Cruella and Disney+’s Pinocchio, the Mouse House is turning its sights on another beloved animated movie, 1989’s The Little Mermaid, for its latest big screen spectacle, with singer Halle Bailey taking on the role of Ariel. Disney has been gradually pulling back the curtain on its live-action remake by releasing several tantalizing teasers and posters in recent months.
At long last, Disney has unveiled the newest (and longest) trailer for The Little Mermaid, with the official premiere coming during the Oscars broadcast. Check it out below:
The trailer hits on many iconic moments from The Little Mermaid, including Ariel’s rescue of Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) and their “Kiss the Girl” moment. However, the biggest talking point of the newly-revealed footage will likely be the full reveal of Melissa McCarthy’s sea witch Ursula. Ariel’s fateful interaction with Ursula takes up the midpoint of the Little Mermaid trailer and gives an idea of what to expect from the live-action villain.
What The Little Mermaid Trailer Reveals About The New Film
![Little Mermaid Trailer: Full Ursula Reveal Shows Her Stealing Ariel’s Voice](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/halle-bailey-s-ariel-singing-in-the-little-mermaid.jpg)
Based on the new trailer, it looks like Disney’s live-action Little Mermaid will follow along quite closely with its animated source material. Many of the scenes glimpsed in the above video will be quite familiar to those who have seen the original film, with Bailey even striking Ariel’s most well-known pose atop a rock just as the waves crash behind her. The Little Mermaid trailer also reveals the best looks yet at characters like Scuttle (Awkwafina) and Sebastian (Daveed Diggs).
The core of The Little Mermaid‘s story remains intact. Ariel longs to travel up on land and learn about the humans who live up there, and her curiosity is only piqued further when she saves Eric’s life. As the above trailer reiterates, Ursula preys upon Ariel’s desire and makes a bargain that will grant Ariel the legs she so desperately desires; however, it could cost the young princess quite severely. It seems like The Little Mermaid is following in the footsteps of fellow remakes Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King in maintaining the same beats of its predecessor.
However, as some castings have hinted, The Little Mermaid might weave in some new elements for this updated version. It’s been theorized that Noma Dumezweni will be playing Ariel’s mother, a figure who is referenced in the animated movie but never shown. Dumezweni’s character wasn’t shown in the new trailer, so her exact role remains a mystery. Nevertheless, Bailey has confirmed The Little Mermaid has updated Ariel’s arc to be more progressive, so expect at least a few changes to the beloved story.
Key Release Date
The Little Mermaid (2023)
Release Date:2023-05-26