Singer Halle Bailey to play Ariel in 'Little Mermaid' live-action remake
Disney just announced some exciting news about one of its biggest classics, 'The Little Mermaid'.
Disney fans eagerly awaiting the live-action version of 'The Lion King', which drops July 19, will be happy to know that another classic is getting a remake.
'The Little Mermaid' is the next Disney movie to get a live reimagining. Halle Bailey, who is one half of the musical duo Chloe x Halle, will play the lead role.
The movie will be helmed by award-winning director Rob Marshall, who has worked on films such as 'Chicago', 'Memoirs of a Geisha', and 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'.
"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," he said in a statement.
Halle described her new role as a "dream come true".
dream come true... 🧜🏽♀️🌊 pic.twitter.com/sndjYUS6wO
— chloe x halle (@chloexhalle) July 3, 2019
THIS JUST IN: Meet the new Ariel in Disney’s live-action reimagining of #TheLittleMermaid - Halle Bailey
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) July 3, 2019
Production to begin early next year pic.twitter.com/ZZ9PcRegX3
The casting news has been met with both excitement and confusion.
Ariel has typically been portrayed as a mermaid with long red hair, blue eyes, and fair skin.
"Brandy was the first black girl to be a princess in live action Disney movie. Halle Bailey is now only the second. We need more of this representation. Congrats to Halle Bailey on her role as Ariel!" one Twitter user wrote.
Another added: "I love Halle Bailey don't get me wrong pero my childhood Ariel was a red head. RED HAIR. Not blonde, black or brown."
Celebrities have also commented on the casting news.
"My little toons is gonna see a piece of her in her favorite Disney princess. I cannot wait!!!" Chrissy Teigen commented on a picture Halle posted about the film on Instagram.
Jordin Sparks was equally excited.
"OMG I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU! And for all the little brown girls who will now see themselves as Ariel too!"
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Halle Bailey gets casted as Ariel
— Sherm The Sage (@Modafo1) July 3, 2019
Black ppl: pic.twitter.com/TS2SCP0Ff3
Brandy was the first black girl to be a princess in live action Disney movie. Halle Bailey is now only the second. We need more of this representation. Congrats to Halle Bailey on her role as Ariel! 😍🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/oNk1Dbc4vm
— Black Culture News (@blackculturenew) July 3, 2019
Don’t get me wrong, Halle Bailey is GORGEOUS, and I love that Ariel will be black in the live action remake. But please let my favorite sea maiden keep her red hair!!! It’s too iconic to take away 😭 #LittleMermaid pic.twitter.com/Abjlu9VeIV
— Katy Cage (@katy_cage) July 4, 2019
yeehaw twitter is slandering Halle Bailey as Ariel like they know of a real mermaid with red hair who would’ve been good for the part I’m dead
— Chris (@chrisr_ospina) July 4, 2019
me hearing y’all crying over halle bailey, a black girl, being casted as ariel pic.twitter.com/GUQdTBe83G
— 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐢 ; -2 ffh (@asgardianspider) July 4, 2019
Production on the new 'Little Mermaid' movie is expected to begin in 2020.
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