The following contains spoilers for The Little Mermaid, now playing in theaters.
In The Little Mermaid's live-action remake, Princess Ariel (Halle Bailey) creates waves as she seeks agency and a destiny away from Atlantica. It leads to a romance with Prince Eric, much to the disappointment of King Triton. And make no mistake, while many plot beats are the same as the '89 classic, there are progressive, feminist elements improving the story.
This is found in The Little Mermaid's ending, where Ariel kills Ursula herself, setting up both the surface and sea worlds to unite. However, as her journey of confidence, strength and belief ends with her venturing off to explore the world with Eric, key threads sprinkled about could create a sequel.
The Little Mermaid 2 Can Bring Pirates Into Play
One of the things Triton (played by Javier Bardem) fears most is pirates. It's revealed here that they killed Ariel's mom. This can easily position Ariel and Eric to run afoul of them on their adventures as they roam. This would nod to Disney's 2008 animated prequel, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, which explained Triton's hatred for humans after pirates led to Queen Athena's death.
It'd also feel organic to the narrative, given Eric and Ariel want to experience different cultures. Admittedly, the prince is naive about meeting uncharted lands and strangers, which is why Eric's mother is worried. Should it be found out Ariel's a mermaid, this sets up pirates to follow them to the new kingdom.
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea focused on a joint kingdom having to defend itself from outside threats. Such a direction on the big screen would play into Triton's biggest fears. He's always been cynical that humanity would come for his people. This can create an air of guilt and regret with Ariel and Eric if danger comes to their home because of their need to explore.
The Little Mermaid 2 Can Unleash Morgana
An interesting addition to The Little Mermaid lore is Ursula being updated. The Sea Witch is now Triton's sister, affirming there was a Game of Thrones-like squabble for Atlantica in the past. She alludes to more siblings in exile, setting up Morgana, the villain from Return to the Sea. Morgana wanted to avenge Ursula, so a follow-up could have her returning from banishment, attacking Triton and going after the new kingdom.
Morgana's just as powerful a mage, meaning Disney can outdo Ursula's spectacle here. What's also worth noting is Ariel's sisters all have tweaked roles as emissaries of the Seven Seas. With each governing a realm, this is a chance to give them proper screen time. The film did focus on Ariel, but it short-sold the sisters. This can result in Morgana going after their houses and these mermaids defending them.
It would add an intimidating air to the villain's mission and elevate the sisters the way the reboot wants to. Plus, it'd remind Triton that ghosts of old never sleep -- something that haunts him when Ursula reminds him how he betrayed her. Last but not least, this family feud would give Ariel just reason to come back to fight for her family and make up for that Faustian pact she made with Ursula in the first place.
The Little Mermaid is now playing in theaters.