Disney has released the first poster for The Little Mermaid, the upcoming live-action reimagining of the studio's Oscar-winning animated musical classic. Unlike Pinocchio, starring Tom Hanks, the movie will not be heading straight to Disney+ and is instead receiving a traditional theatrical release.
That's a good indication Disney has high hopes for this one, and this poster - which we're hoping means a new trailer is on the way - promises some stunning underwater visuals.
As is also the case in the cartoon, the youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart.
She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
It sounds like this movie will be another live-action adaptation that sticks to its animated counterpart pretty closely, though that's not necessarily a bad thing. The Lion King came under fire for being a relatively straightforward live-action retelling, but Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast, for example, struck a much better balance.
The Little Mermaid stars singer and actress Halle Bailey as Ariel, Daveed Diggs as the voice of Sebastian, Jacob Tremblay as the voice of Flounder, Awkwafina as the voice of Scuttle, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Art Malik as Sir Grimsby, Noma Dumezweni as Queen Selina, with Javier Bardem as King Triton, and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula.
Helmed by visionary filmmaker Rob Marshall, the movie opens exclusively in theaters on May 26, 2023.
Check out the new poster below: