Halle Bailey as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.” Image: screengrab from YouTube/Walt Disney Studios
Disney has dropped the official trailer for the live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” which features American actress Halle Bailey as Ariel, the “spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure.”
The trailer opens with Prince Eric, portrayed by Jonah Hauer-King, in a ship while braving a storm, as seen on Disney’s YouTube channel on Monday, March 13. Prince Eric eventually decided to abandon the ship and was saved by Ariel from drowning.
Ariel was then reprimanded by her father, Javier Bardem’s King Triton, for going into the “above world” and interacting with a human, which is forbidden for mermaids.
“He’s a human! You’re a mermaid,” King Triton says, to which she replies, “That doesn’t make us enemies.”
Ariel seeks the help of evil sea witch, Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula, with whom she made a deal to have the chance to experience life on land. Ariel eventually gets her legs and meets Prince Eric, but this comes with great cost as it “places her life—and her father’s crown—in jeopardy.”
The trailer debuted at the Oscars last March 12 (March 13 in the Philippines). Other stars in the cast include Noma Dumezweni, Art Malik as well as Jacob Tremblay voicing Flounder, Daveed Diggs voicing Sebastian and Awkwafina voicing Scuttle.
“The Little Mermaid” is directed by Rob Marshall and features classic soundtracks along with original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken. It will premiere in theaters on May 26. /ra