Walt Disney Pictures today announced that singer and actor Halle Bailey will take the lead role of Ariel in the upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. Bailey is best known as one half of the R&B sister duo Chloe x Halle. She also played a supporting role on Freeform’s Grown-ish.
The Disney reboot has been busy lately filling out its cast, from side characters to villains. Right now, Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina are being considered for the respectively roles of Flounder and Scuttle, two of Ariel’s companions on her journey. Melissa McCarthy is in talks to play Ursula, the sea witch who turns Ariel human and, in the process, steals her voice.
“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,” said director Rob Marshall in a statement.
The Little Mermaid will follow in the footsteps of other Disney reboots by including songs both classic and new. Original The Little Mermaid composer Alan Menken returns to pen the film’s new music, while Lin-Manuel Miranda is slated to provide lyrics.
(via The Hollywood Reporter)