Madison Meeks – Media Director

mvm7037@psu.edu

On September 10, 2022, Disney released the teaser trailer for the new live-action remake of the 1989 classic animated film, “The Little Mermaid”. Disney released this teaser trailer at the Disney D23 Expo and on their Youtube channel. After the release of the teaser trailer, the film received a lot of backlash for the casting of Ariel. Ariel is going to be portrayed by singer and actress Halle Bailey. Despite the backlash, the film has received support from fans and even the original voice actress of Ariel, Jodie Benson.

The Live-Action remake has been the center of controversy ever since the announcement of Halle Bailey playing the lead role. According to Forbes “While Disney’s tepid remakes always receive criticism for nostalgic fans, this time, the backlash is transparently racist, with all of the negativity aimed at the casting of a non-white actress to play the titular mermaid”. All the backlash over the film is based on people who think that a Disney princess needs to be a particular race. Despite the backlash, there is a lot of support for the film. Forbes stated that “in response to the flood of negativity, parents are pushing back, posting videos of their children excited by the sight of a Disney princess who looks like them”. Another supporter of the live-action film is Jodie Benson, who is the original voice actress of Ariel.

According to Screen Rant, “In a recent episode of The Art of Kindness podcast, Benson hypes up the Little Mermaid remake, calling the film “beautiful”. She also notes how the 2023 Little Mermaid will honor the original”. Benson states in the podcast that “It’s gonna be an absolutely gorgeous film with the global ufx… it’s gonna be breathtaking to take us under the sea! I think every cast member’s performance is gonna blow everyone away. The vocals…everything! It’s gonna be a beautiful film”. It’s fantastic to see that one of the original cast members is supporting the new live-action remake of the classic animated film. Disney is showing through this film that they are making steps towards positive representation. 

“The Little Mermaid” live-action remake sounds like it is going to be an amazing film. Many fans will have to wait in anticipation of the film’s release. Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” will be released in theaters on May 26, 2023.