A movie news YT I follow brought up a VERY good point about this casting that I feel is being entirely overlooked. Yes, the original FT is from/set in Denmark. So a white skinned, red haired mermaid fits that. BUT they are remaking the 1989 Disney version which is NOT set in the tales original location of Denmark. It's set in a more tropical setting. And they are apparently going all in on that with this remake and just straight up making the setting The Caribbean. So in many ways this casting is more true to the original animated movie's setting then the movie itself actually was. It would make ZERO sense to go all in on the Caribbean Island setting with a ginger mermaid.
briankershawjr said: "I agree with your message 100% ... I only worry bc if you look at Beauty and the Beast they didn’t change it same with Jasmine from Aladdin... I don’t want this to back fire on Disney
Look at MJ in Spider-Man originally she is with red hair and when Zendaya got the role it changed and some liked the change the other didn’t "
I have no problem with casting whoever as a character but in the new Spider-Man movies I don't like how they changed the core of the majority of the characters themselves, including MJ. What they did to Flash Thompson was even worse, instead of finding a jock bully they made the character a nerd who doesn't even look like Peter should be scared of. I hated the first movie and I don't have any interest in seeing the next one and I love Spider-Man.
As it goes for Ariel, never heard of this person but I see she doesn't have a ton of acting credits so I just hope she can act.
The Little Mermaid is my favorite animated Disney film. I agree that these remakes are pointless, but there’s nothing to stop them until people stop going to the movie theaters to see them.
I’m optimistic for this film. “Chicago” is one of the best musicals to enter cinemas in the last twenty years and “Mary Poppins Returns” was well done if too derivative. I like Awkwafina and I can live with Melissa McCarthy even though I don’t believe she’s an ideal choice for this role— I love her in other parts but don’t buy her as Ursula. Alan Menken and Lin Manuel Miranda teaming up together has such awesome potential, I’m excited to hear what they come up with. And finally, it is always exciting when a newcomer (or mostly newcomer) gets cast in a major role like this. I haven’t seen her act, but I have heard her sing and Halle Bailey has a beautiful voice.
I hope they find a place for Jodi Benson to cameo— knowing Rob Marshall, I expect they will.
TheGingerBreadMan said: "I dont know anything about the actress who was cast, but Im so excited that a WOC got the role. This is progress, people!
A tweet from @msmorganjarrett sums it up perfectly:
As a white-skinned redhead, I have very strong feelings about #TheLittleMermaid. Ariel changed my ginger world. The mean "jokes" ended. I became envied for my hair.
And you know what? I want little black girls to experience that same feeling with new Ariel."
I think she's gonna still have red hair or at least red highlights
This is actually the first live-action remake that I'm really curious about.
The casting of Ariel is great, she does have this certain quality in her voice that reminds me of the old Disney classics (Snow white, Cinderella, Ariel), and her type/balance between the sweetness and rebellious teenager seems to be fitting too. All the previous options mentioned for the role didn't have any of that and sounded uninteresting to me.
I'd take this relatively unknown (in the world), young, very well singing, beautifully voiced girl as Ariel, full of life and who sings with glow and passion over someone like Emma Watson any time. I think it's never too late to teach audiences how it can be done too and what actually works better.
I was afraid that audiences and filmmakers don't really recognize quality anymore and are numb because of all the lifeless garbage and autotune out there. That could be a reason why Emma Watson was somewhat accepted. But this girl is real talent. It's about time for a leading lady that sings with a truly beautiful voice in a Disney movie. The last time that happened was in the early 90's.
About Ursula, I think Melissa McCarthy is a terrible choice for Ursula. Ursula is not meant to be this typical American kind of goofy housewife with a funny twist. Ursula should be more vicious, more drag queen-like, maybe a bot more damaged, with a hint of faded drag queen glamour. What I would look for is the opposite of her type. It seems many producers and casting directors do not understand the character. In the Hollywood Bowl, The theatre versions, other projects,the role has always been miscast.
joined:5/21/03
joined:
5/21/03
Posted: 7/4/19 at 2:16pm