Javier Bardem explains the reason behind King Triton’s costume change in The Little Mermaid. Premiering May 26, the live-action remake follows Halle Bailey as Ariel, a young mermaid who trades her voice to become human. Bardem portrays Ariel’s overprotective father Triton, the king of Atlantica who, in Disney’s 1989 animated film, attempts to keep her away from the surface world. However, he eventually improves his way of thinking when he realizes she is in love.
Speaking with Extra at the movie’s recent premiere in Los Angeles, Bardem revealed that director Rob Marshall had his own idea for Triton, but added that the way he ended up looking makes sense.
King Triton appears briefly in The Little Mermaid‘s trailer, and one noticeable change in Bardem’s depiction is that he wears armor over his chest, instead of going shirtless like his animated counterpart. Read Bardem’s comments regarding King Triton’s costume change in The Little Mermaid below:
“That would’ve taken a lot of work. Also, it’s not because I didn’t want to, it’s because [director Rob Marshall] had a different idea… It is very distracting to have somebody like that the whole [time]. It makes sense that he’s covered by a great, beautiful shell.“
What Other Changes Does The Live-Action Little Mermaid Make?
Other than his costume change, which still includes a large crown and trident, not much has been revealed about Bardem’s version of King Triton. When it comes to the appearances of other characters, Ariel’s companions, Sebastian (Daveed Diggs), Scuttle (Awkwafina), and Flounder (Jacob Tremblay), have received significant attention. Upon first look, the realistic animation of these animals generated mixed reactions, but Tremblay has spoken positively about Flounder and his depiction.
Aside from changes to various characters, the live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid will reportedly feature new story elements, including updating the motivations of both Ariel and Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King). The film will also contain additional songs created by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda, and changes have been made to others, including “Kiss the Girl.” Menken previously shared that “Daughters of Triton” was not incorporated into the remake, though Ariel’s sisters will still be portrayed.
There is a lot of excitement surrounding The Little Mermaid and the performances of its cast, including Bardem. As the film nears its release date, it’s unclear if any other changes have been made to King Triton, involving his appearance or storyline. Those eager to see Bardem take on the role of Triton can be sure to catch The Little Mermaid when it hits theaters.
Key Release Dates
The Little Mermaid (2023)
Release Date:2023-05-26
