Disney is releasing its first trailer for Halle Bailey’s Little mermaid, and it’s making waves. In the video, Ariel breaks one of King Triton’s cardinal rules — and ends up saving Prince Eric from drowning.
The live-action remake of the 1989 animated musical hit is directed by Rob Marshall and features original Little Mermaid composer Alan Menken returning to update his score. It also boasts songs written by lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda and four new originals.
Ariel’s curiosity about the human world leads to a deal with the sea witch Ursula, who allows her to experience life on land and helps her make a deal with Prince Eric. But the deal puts her life in danger and leaves her father’s crown at stake.
Bailey and Melissa McCarthy appeared to show off the official trailer for their Little mermaid movie during Sunday’s 95th Academy Awards telecast. The trailer shows Ariel, the youngest of King Triton’s daughters, exploring the world above the surface after she falls in love with Prince Eric.
In the film, Ariel is a beautiful mermaid who longs to explore the world above the ocean’s waves. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, giving her a chance to do so. But when she returns to her underwater home, she faces a surprising challenge.
Amid the backlash from some haters, fans, and supporters have taken to social media to counter the hate with memes, counter-comments, and videos that defend the casting of Bailey as Ariel. Some of the most prominent figures in the entertainment industry have come to her defense, including original Ariel voice actor Jodi Benson and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse producer Chris Miller.
