The Little Mermaid (Live-Action)

[Disney Duster]

I like her way more than Zendaya and her singing is amazing and beautiful. Her acting gave the personality of Ariel to me but it seemed rather...affected and not believable. Hopefully her acting is more natural in West Side Story, and if she were to be Ariel, hopefully in The Little Mermaid, too. But I hope everyone retains the ethnicity they had in the original film. Maybe a Mediterranean Eric if they have ones that look as white as he did in the film, and a purple Ursula.

[Sotiris]

Jodi Benson talks about the remake.

Q: Eventually, Disney is going to do a live-action reimagining of The Little Mermaid. Will you be involved in that somehow?

Jodi Benson: I know. I’m excited to see if that really does happen. Of course, I’d love to be anywhere near that set. That would be incredible just to watch all those brilliant people working. Of course, it would be an honor to be a part of it in any way shape and form. I don’t know if that would happen, but that certainly would be fun if it did.

Source: https://filmschoolrejects.com/jodi-bens ... e-mermaid/

Q: Disney's had a pretty good batting average with these live-action remakes of some of their classic properties, and I know that The Little Mermaid's definitely on the table with Lin-Manuel Miranda's potentially contributing songs. What gets you excited about seeing this story interpreted in live-action when it inevitably comes to pass?

Jodi Benson: Yeah. I think it's going to be incredible. They are talking about this concept, and the team of people that I've heard mentioned for this particular live-action film sounds quite magical. And I think for Alan [Menken] to be teaming up with Lin-Manuel is going to be phenomenal, and if in fact we have Robbie Marshall, if that is the case, as director and John DeLuca as executive producer. Mary Poppins Returns, I think, was just a fantastic film, so I know that Robbie is an incredible director with a great eye. I think he can handle it. I think it can be delivered in a way that's going to be quite special. I don't know exactly how they'll pull it all off, but I'm sure it'll be amazing.

Source: https://comicbook.com/movies/2019/02/26 ... interview/

Q: Lastly, Disney has been remaking a lot of their classic animated films into live-action movies. Who would you want to play Ariel in a live-action remake of The Little Mermaid?

Jodi Benson: Oh, that’s a good question! I haven’t really thought of it, obviously I am not really involved in the live-action, but I have heard several names being thrown out there. I guess, for me, I would just really, really love to make sure that whoever they select is a really strong actress as well as a strong vocalist. My hope is that with [if they go with] casting a big celebrity, is that it doesn’t get in the way of the character. That’s one thing I liked about our film is that you don’t necessarily associate the character with a celebrity — not thinking in the back of your mind, Oh that’s so-and-so’s voice — so you just focus on the film and the character. So I would like to see that. I think it would be amazing if they found a fresh new face young girl, who can do it all and kinda blow us away, I would love that. It may be a celebrity and I am sure that is great, but it’s kind of nice to have someone that isn’t already a preconceived idea, I think. Anyways, that’s just my opinion.

Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/t ... -wanted-to

Q: Disney has been rebooting a ton of classic films lately, and The Little Mermaid is set to be turned into a live-action film. Is that something that you would consider making a cameo in?

Jodi Benson: Oh my gosh. Are you kidding? Yeah. I would love that. Absolutely. If they call me, I'll be there. I'm all about it.

Q: Who would you love to see play Ariel in the live-action movie?

Jodi Benson: It's interesting. I understand there are celebrities that they're thinking and that makes total sense, I totally get that. A part of me would kind of like to have somebody new. I'd really love to see a real 16-year-old play the part. It would be incredible if they did a search for somebody, because she's out there. In some ways, when you attach a celebrity to an iconic role like that, sometimes you get a little caught up with who the person is and a little less focus on the story. So I kind of wish they'd do a little search, but I understand you got to sell tickets.

Q: Is there a specific scene that you're excited to see come to life?

Jodi Benson: I'd be really curious to see how they're going to do "Part of Your World" underwater. I'd be very fascinated to see how they're going to do everything underwater. I think that would be beautiful. I'm sure it could be done magically, so I would love to see that.

Source: https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/ ... 9-45803178

[Sotiris]

Menken says they'll be starting work on the remake soon.

Q: What’s the status of the live-action “Little Mermaid”?

Alan Menken: We’re going to be starting it up very soon. We had to wait for (director) Rob Marshall to finish up “Mary Poppins Returns,” so I imagine pretty soon we’ll be getting into the trenches.

Source: https://www.azcentral.com/story/enterta ... 668465002/

[Sotiris]

Disney is scouting for locations in Spain.

Disney Studios is fishing for filming locations for the highly-anticipated live action remake of The Little Mermaid. The production company is officially in talks with Axarquia and Mallorca, with film bosses in both locations sending their best proposals. Disney asked the Axarquia Film Office to pitch its best coves, castles and caves.

The cinematic body has included in its pitch La Cueva de Nerja (Nerja Cave), Cueva del Tesoro (Tesoro Cave), the Velez-Malaga Fortress, Bezmiliana fortress and the Marques de Valle Niza. Other locations offered up include Maro, La Cala, Torre del Mar, Almayate, Chilches, Benajarafe and Torrox.

Tourism spokesperson Juan Peñas said: “The importance of Disney, one of the most powerful studios in the film industry, showing interest in the region of the Axarquía and running as a possible candidate to host the recording of some scenes of this production is fantastic.” The vice president of the Commonwealth of Municipalities of the Costa del Sol Axarquia added that ‘this opportunity has happened thanks to the Axarquia Film Office being part of the Network of Cities of Andalusia Film Commission’, which works tirelessly to attract international and national filming projects to the region.

Meanwhile, Disney has also shown interest in using Mallorca to film scenes of the new live-action version, rumoured to hits screens in 2021. A request was received by the Mallorca Film Commission from the American cinema giant, asking to use the caves and rocks of the Balearic coast.

Oscar-nominated American director Rob Marshall, who worked on Mary Poppins Returns and Pirates of the Caribbean, is thought to be the film’s chosen director. Meanwhile, fellow Disney favorite Zendaya, has been strongly linked to play the lead role of Ariel, as has Bella Thorne. Filming could begin as soon as next year.

Source: https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news ... on-remake/

[Disney Duster]

I'm so excited!

[JeanGreyForever]

Oh lord, Bella Thorne. I thought Zendaya was bad enough but this is really scraping the bottom of the barrel. I'll gladly take Zendaya anyday over that no-talent hack.

Much like Jodi Benson, I'd prefer Disney hire a newcomer, or at least someone who can actually sing, regardless of being a celebrity or not.

I'm happy they are picking Spain as the setting to shoot though so the original film could potentially have taken place there or a setting similar to that.

[REINIER]

It just occured to me...bare with me...but...Bridget Everett for Ursula?

[Disney's Divinity]

At least Bella Thorne has red hair, if we have to choose between the two awful Shake It Up actresses. Like I said before, Disney clearly trying to shill product (in this case two tween wannabe stars).

[D82]

Disney is scouting for locations in Spain.

Wow, I didn't expect that! I wonder if they'll cast some Spanish actors in secondary roles. They sometimes do that when they film in a foreign country. By the way, why are they looking for caves as locations? Is it for Ariel's grotto or Ursula's lair, perhaps? I thought it would be easier to build those locations in a studio.

[Disney Duster]

I am curious about the caves, too. And yes, I am glad they are picking Spain.

[Sotiris]

Q: I have to ask you about live-action Little Mermaid. Is there an update?

Rob Marshall: Well, not much yet. It's just that we're starting to write it and putting together the script and the outline and trying to make the adaptation from an animated film to a live-action film which has its unique challenges, that's for sure. Especially, because half the movie is underwater. So, we're going to be figuring out how we do that. It's very exciting, though. I have to say.

Q: I'm sure you're thinking about casting. Lindsay Lohan has kind of been petitioning to be a part of it. Is that a possibility?

Rob Marshall: Gosh. I don't know who's going to play these roles yet. We haven't really gotten that far. I think we'll start that process probably sometime this summer. Right now, we're just focusing on the characters, the material which is everything. That's the most important thing. I'm starting to have some ideas but haven't gotten there yet.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66r9VjZBNOQ

[D82]

Marshall also talks a bit about the songs in a new interview:

“There are things I’ve learned about how you have to work to integrate songs into story, and how it has to feel earned. It can’t just be sort of put there, placed there, because you feel there should be a song,” Marshall told ComicBook.com.

“It has to be a song that’s earned, that takes you there. And so as we’re working on, in a way, fleshing out The Little Mermaid — Ariel has one song in the animated film — and so we’re looking for maybe more material.”

“Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda are coming on board to write some lyrics, so that’s exciting, to sort of take what was there, which is so beloved, but also find a way to create a live-action version of it,” Marshall said, adding “the lessons of creating an original musical have been very helpful so far.”

Source: https://comicbook.com/movies/2019/03/07 ... nal-songs/

[Disney Duster]

Yes, it would be good if Ariel sang more than just her one song and it's reprise.

[Disney's Divinity]

Depends on who will be singing, but I'd definitely be happy for another song for Ariel, even if it's just a new "Beyond My Wildest Dreams."

[Atlantica]

It's funny isn't it, even though she has the most beautiful voice in all the ocean etc, she only has the one song and reprise. Though that isn't as bad as Belle who has pretty much nothing to herself other than Bell Reprise.

Out of all the 'Princess' movies, only two heroins have two legitimate songs to herself, and that's Pocahontas & Snow White as far as I can recall quickly ? Aurora does have I Wonder & Once Upon a Dream but the latter is a duet so doesn't really count.

From the musical Ariel was given 'The World Above' which was lovely, and 'Beyond My Wildest Dreams' which was also lovely to hear her inner dialogue. I wonder if they will use that as a device in the film, to have her sing in her head so we can hear her thoughts ? Or will she be mute as the film ?

[JeanGreyForever]

Out of all the 'Princess' movies, only two heroins have two legitimate songs to herself, and that's Pocahontas & Snow White as far as I can recall quickly ? Aurora does have I Wonder & Once Upon a Dream but the latter is a duet so doesn't really count.

That's a really solid point. It's especially shocking for Ariel considering how much emphasis is placed on her voice, which we do hear sporadically throughout the movie (her vocalizing, Vanessa's Song, the reprise of Part of Your World) but she could definitely use more material. I always liked the song One Dance that was deleted.

Snow White comes off as best with four songs all to herself. Guess being the one who started it all really does have some perks.

[Sotiris]

I always liked the song One Dance that was deleted.

One Dance isn't a deleted song. It's a song written for the 2006 album "The Little Mermaid and Friends" by Chris L. Martin.

[JeanGreyForever]

I always liked the song One Dance that was deleted.

One Dance isn't a deleted song. It's a song written for the 2006 album "The Little Mermaid and Friends" by Chris L. Martin.

You're right, it's not a deleted song even though it's always attributed to as such. I assumed Menken must have written it at some point though.

[Disney Duster]

It's funny isn't it, even though she has the most beautiful voice in all the ocean etc, she only has the one song and reprise. Though that isn't as bad as Belle who has pretty much nothing to herself other than Bell Reprise.

I have always thought both those things! Ariel has "the most beautiful voice" and yet she only sings one full solo! And she doesn't even go to rehearsal and it's like she doesn't even care about singing! And I thought for a very long time Belle should get her own song! Even in Beauty and the Beast (2017), the Beast got his own song, but not Belle! Now, I know that these movies have the perfect songs to tell the story the best way, but still is weird they didn't get more to sing!

Cinderella has two songs to herself. "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" and "Sing, Sweet Nightingale".

I like "If Only" the best out of Ariel's new songs from the musical, and would like her to have that the way it was originally written, as a solo (I think...someone correct me if I'm wrong).

[Disney's Divinity]

It's funny isn't it, even though she has the most beautiful voice in all the ocean etc, she only has the one song and reprise. Though that isn't as bad as Belle who has pretty much nothing to herself other than Bell Reprise.

I always wished Belle had another song, too, but at least "Belle (reprise)" is epic and she has the best moment in "Something There," too. She's the only character in the movie who has a song all to herself other than Mrs. Potts.

I'm fine with Ariel having one theme (especially since it's the best one... IMO). I think the fact that she doesn't really sing very much to herself emphasizes that she doesn't realize how precious her voice really is, even though everyone else in the story does. Kind of reminds me of that One Direction song--she doesn't know she's beautiful, that's what makes her beautiful. The plot was probably the main reason she didn't have anything else. The only other spot a song would make sense is when she's on land and she's without her voice then. To me, even "Beyond My Wildest Dreams" and "The World Above" are sort of redundant. POYW does a much better job than either of those getting across her love for and eagerness to explore the human world.