With The Lion King right around the corner, Disney has no intention of taking a break from their live-action retelling of classical stories. The studio is already in pre-production for its next flick, The Little Mermaid with many popular actors in the running for various roles. The news that Aladdin had become the highest grossing film in Will Smith’s career is also luring many to be a part of the next Disney fairytale.
With The Lion King right around the corner, Disney has no intention of taking a break from their live-action retelling of classical stories. The studio is already in pre-production for its next flick, The Little Mermaid with many popular actors in the running for various roles. The news that Aladdin had become the highest grossing film in Will Smith’s career is also luring many to be a part of the next Disney fairytale.
Whatever the case may be, Disney has finally announced the lead for their next movie. The US singer Halle Bailey will be playing the role of Ariel in the upcoming live-action The Little Mermaid. The 19-year-old is best known for her work on Freeform’s Grown-ish and as half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle.
Bailey expresses her happiness to the news by tweeting that it was a “dream come true.”
dream come true… 🧜🏽♀️🌊 pic.twitter.com/sndjYUS6wO
— chloe x halle (@chloexhalle) July 3, 2019
The director of the film, Rob Marshall said in a statement: “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.”
Many celebrities are praising the move by Disney for casting a young black woman in the role.
In case you needed a reminder… Halles get it DONE. Congratulations @chloexhalle on this amazing opportunity, we can’t wait to see what you do! #TheLittleMermaid #HalleBailey pic.twitter.com/z0Rik2nxRe
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) July 3, 2019
I look forward to taking my daughter to see Halle Bailey as Ariel in the live action version of Little Mermaid. She'll be ecstatic seeing another girl of color as a Disney princess. I will have to tolerate the songs, but…worth it.
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) July 3, 2019
Brandy walked so Halle Bailey could swim. pic.twitter.com/FGuwAzAHUT
— Kevin Fallon (@kpfallon) July 3, 2019
Halle Bailey, a Black teens who wears locs, being cast as a Disney princess is what dreams are made of. Imagine what just seeing her onscreen will do for this generation of Black girls.
— Evette Dionne 🏁 (@freeblackgirl) July 3, 2019
The film will feature songs from the 1989 animated classic by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as new songs by Menken and Miranda.
Melissa McCarthy has reportedly been cast as the villain, Ursula. With the rest of the casting on the way, the film will move into production in early 2020.
