The Little Mermaid (Live-Action)

[disneyprincess11]

Language aside, the point is valid. We have no way of knowing how extensive the search was, so why assume that Marshall is lying?

I think what Disney's Divinity meant is that they only considered actors of one specific race for the role instead of being open to actors of any race/ethnicity. LMM actually has a history of doing that so it's not surprising.

Well actually, I just saw Hamilton on Sunday and my Eliza was white and she wasn't even the understudy.

I don't know why this board is obsessed with dragging LMM to the ground

[Old Fish Tale]

I don't know why this board is obsessed with dragging LMM to the ground

Maybe because he isn't white?

[Disney's Divinity]

What really struck me was Chrissy Teigen saying that Luna's ( her daughter ) favourite Princess was Ariel, and now she will be able to see a little piece of her in the character. That was such a lovely thought, and there must be hundreds of thousands of girls all over the world feeling the exact same thing.

That's bittersweet to me. Sweet in the sense that a little girl is happy, but bitter in the sense that apparently she didn't like Ariel as much when she was white with red hair. It’s sad if a little girl can’t like a character just because they don’t look exactly like they do. That must be why Tiana isn’t popular the way she deserves—all the little, white girls can’t identify with a black character.

Speaking of Tiana, I remember how much that film did and still does receive these racist comments on this forum about how it’s not a good movie because it was a forced black princess for the sake of it. It’s funny how some of the same people who say those kinds of things are all fine with outright tokenism here. #Hypocrites

I hope this film is nothing like Brandy's Cinderella. In part because Brandy herself was godawful and because the race-blind casting was eyerollworthy. A black Queen and white King produced an Asian prince, wha?

I think what Disney's Divinity meant is that they only considered actors of one specific race for the role instead of being open to actors of any race/ethnicity. LMM actually has a history of doing that so it's not surprising.

Yes, I despise Miranda. I hate the day Disney ever started working with him.

[Sotiris]

That may be true, it certainly seems to be the case based on the names we know, but it doesn't mean the search wasn't extensive (or that girls of other ethnic backgrounds weren't auditioned during the process).

You're right. We can't know for sure.

As for Hamilton, reading the article they clearly broke Equity rules with the wording of the casting call, but it's far from the only show where they favour specific ethnic backgrounds for the roles, especially where it's culturally appropriate (The Lion King being a good example).

I cited that article just to support the theory that he was most likely the one behind the decision for a Black Ariel (for better or worse) since some people were doubting that.

I don't know why this board is obsessed with dragging LMM to the ground

Two people is hardly the entire board. Besides, people are allowed to not like a celebrity. And "dragging [him] to the ground"? Let's not exaggerate.

Maybe because he isn't white?

It's so shameful of you to suggest people who happen to not like one celebrity of color are racists. And isn't LMM a white Latino? Ethnicity is not the same as race.

[Disney's Divinity]

Two people is hardly the entire board. Besides, people are allowed to not like a celebrity.

Two is two too many, Sotiris! There is only one opinion allowed here. Actually, I know at least two others here who’ve said they didn’t like him in the past. Perhaps they don’t want to speak now lest they get cursed out by the mob?

I would like if the TLM remake did underperform the way MPR did—well, for a lot of reasons now—but mostly because that would mean that the only film Miranda’s been involved with that truly succeeded was Moana, and that was only a moderate success. Nothing in comparison to Frozen or Zootopia. Of course, even if that happened, I don’t expect Disney to treat him with the same level of disrespect and ungratefulness that they did Alan Menken though.

[disneyprincess11]

If you guys don't like Lin, that's totally fine. I don't care at all. It's just that it seems like people bash on him over anything for the heck of it.

Apparently, American Idol semi-finalist Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang from SNL just revealed they are being considered for Flotsam and Jetsam. Aren't they not allowed to say anything? Sending people to pressure Disney to hire them isn't the best, professional look.

https://twitter.com/MattRogersTho/statu ... 1120123904
https://twitter.com/bowenyang/status/11 ... 8046746624

[UmbrellaFish]

I hear if you say “Lin-Manuel Miranda” three times in front of a mirror in the dark, he shows up, rips Alan Menken’s entire songbook to shreds, and recasts Snow White with a Latina.

[Disney's Divinity]

I wonder if they’ll race-bend Elsa one day, too. Because it’s not like her snowy skin or blonde braid are iconic either. And the film just takes place around Norway, what difference does it really make? I’d personally love to finally have a gay man play Belle in the next remake. I know I have brown hair like Belle, but it was so hard for me as a child to only have straight and female Disney princesses to look up to.

[Old Fish Tale]

It's so shameful of you to suggest people who happen to not like one celebrity of color are racists. And isn't LMM a white Latino? Ethnicity is not the same as race.

He isn't white.

[DisneyFan97]

The only con with casting a black Ariel is can't think of a black actor who would fit Triton.

Idris Elba doesn't fit the role because he usually play characters that more active. it would kind of strange seeing Elba just sitting on throne give commands.
I always wanted Patrick Stewart in the role but that's inmosible now.

Fun Fact Stwwart was connseired for one of the dogs in Oliver and Company; King Triton in The orginal Little Mermaid, Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, Zazu in The Lion King, Governor Ratcliffe in Pocahontas, and Zeus in Hercules. Stewart and actually turned down Jafar in Aladdin.

[Disney's Divinity]

I think Elba would actually be a great Triton. Especially if he has a 6-pack, too. Maybe Donald Glover? (Not the one in TLK.) He definitely could pull off the darker part of Triton's personality as well as pull your heartstrings at the end.

EDIT: Just realized I got his name wrong. Danny Glover.

[nomad2010]

The only con with casting a black Ariel is can't think of a black actor who would fit Triton.

Idris Elba doesn't fit the role because he usually play characters that more active. it would kind of strange seeing Elba just sitting on throne give commands.

I don’t even remember where I read it, but I know it was fairly reputable, that Sterling K. Brown was who they were looking at a few months ago. But I cannot find it for the life of me. I love Brown, but I just cannot see him in the role. I think it’s the glasses he always wears

I’d like Elba in the role though. He’s a predictable yet solid choice. I wouldn’t mind Laurence Fishburn to be quite honest. He strikes me as the right balance between endearing and powerful to be able to do it.

[DisneyFan97]

Morgan Freeman would be a good Triton.

When do you think Ursula will be officially cast ?

Do you think it will happen before september ?

I think Ursula is the second most important role in the movie after Ariel Herself.

Sidney Poitier cpould be Triton too ?

He is one of the biggest black stars in Hollywood.

Wonder if Charlotte will be in the movie. I would say Rossane Barr should play her. But after she went completely crazy. i don't want her any where near anything Disney ralated !

Hannah Gadsby or Wonder if Charlotte will be in the movie. I would say Rossane Barr should play her. But after she went completely crazy. i don't want her any where near anything Disney ralated !

Hannah Gadsby or Amy Schumer for charlotte maybe.

Mindy Kaling could be a great Charlotte if they want a non-white in the role. for Charlotte maybe.

Now that type it out I realize my top choice for Charlotte is definitely Amy Schumer !

[ChrisLyne]

I cited that article just to support the theory that he was most likely the one behind the decision for a Black Ariel (for better or worse) since some people were doubting that.

Ok, but since Disney already had a black Triton and black mer-sisters in the original Broadway cast, I’m not convinced it does. The idea was arguably already there on some level. Plus we don’t know who suggested a Caribbean setting (assuming that theory is true). But even if it were Miranda’s suggestion initially, it would still have been approved by Marshall, probably Menken, and likely right up to Bob Iger given how iconic the character is and the online reaction they would have anticipated.

The only con with casting a black Ariel is can't think of a black actor who would fit Triton.

Norm Lewis

[Sotiris]

Apparently, American Idol semi-finalist Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang from SNL just revealed they are being considered for Flotsam and Jetsam. Aren't they not allowed to say anything? Sending people to pressure Disney to hire them isn't the best, professional look.

Yes, it's really unprofessional. I doubt Disney will hire them now after this stunt.

I think Elba would actually be a great Triton.

I also think Elba is a good choice. Since they're race-bending the lead, I think they should go all in and have an-all Black cast. It would look more cohesive and genuine that way. I wonder if Ursula will be Ariel's aunt in the remake like she was in the Broadway adaptation.

[JeanGreyForever]

I also think Elba is a good choice. Since they're race-bending the lead, I think they should go all in and have an-all Black cast. It would look more cohesive and genuine that way. I wonder if Ursula will be Ariel's aunt in the remake like she was in the Broadway adaptation.

I'm curious about Ursula's possible familial connection to Ariel here as well. It seems unlikely if they're casting McCarthy which only makes me want them to hire Queen Latifah even more. I completely forgot about Octavia Spencer who is an actress I adore and would totally embody the role except I don't know if she can sing or not.

I don’t really follow your logic. There’s nothing about the stage that makes so-called color blind casting more realistic than it could in film. Merely, I think the stage uses this device more frequently and perhaps stage audiences have come to accept it and embrace it in a way film audiences haven’t. I don’t necessarily disagree that it would be a bad idea, though— there is criticism of color blind casting for totally disregarding implications of race in the real world.

Except on stage it's generally acceptable for actors of any race to play a role. However, film audiences are less accepting (as is evident from the reaction to the casting of the main lead here) and it'll look tone-deaf if Disney suddenly casts white actresses for the sisters when Ariel is black and Triton is similarly going to be cast as black. Disney could opt to cast the other sisters different races like Asian, Hispanic, etc. but then it'll just look like they're desperate to appear inclusive and that they didn't want to cast any more black actresses for the roles. The safest option now is for the entire family to be black.

[Disney Duster]

I have a feeling Ariel and her whole family will be color blind in terms of race, but JeanGreyForever gives a good reason they wouldn't be. I would rather a multicultural family myself.

Ariel's hair was red not just to differentiate her from the mermaid in Splash. It was also:
1. Because she is headstrong
2. Because she is fiery
3. Because she is passionate
4. Because she is rebellious

I really hope they give her red hair.

[thedisneyspirit]

Sooo, anyone think if they end up casting Miranda for Sebastian, he's gonna get an extended role at the expense of other characters?

Also what if they had made Cinderella black, Duster, would you have liked that? Though maybe that would've been too similar to Tiana and the Frog.

[Farerb]

Sooo, anyone think if they end up casting Miranda for Sebastian, he's gonna get an extended role at the expense of other characters?

He didn't do it in Moana, why would he do it here?

[Sotiris]

He didn't do it in Moana, why would he do it here?

People think that because he's constantly saying in interviews how much he loves the character and how he named his son after him. Personally, I doubt he'll cast himself as Sebastian because a) he's socially aware and knows there'll be backlash if a Black character is portrayed by a Latino even if that character is a crab and b) he would want an on-screen role and not just a voice acting gig. Grimsby is more likely or a new character.