The Little Mermaid (Live-Action)

[nomad2010]

Narratively, is there any purpose to Chef Louis and Les Poissons? It has always seemed like an unnecessary diversion and excuse for the directors to throw in some slapstick (something they repeated with the frog hunters scene in TPATF) I would not be opposed to them eliminating that song and that character. As a child, I always hated the end of the movie when Chef Louis ruins the cake and cuts it in half trying to kill Sebastian. It was always my least favorite moment in the movie— it was a beautiful cake!

But if he is included, I could see them casting Josh Gad.

I always hated the number too. It’s so unnecessary and slows the film down, but I guess I see the purpose to stretch the runtime. Plus losing anything Ashman wrote would be a travesty, so I’m fine if they keep it, even if it really serves no purpose.

[Disney's Divinity]

I wouldn’t be surprised if most of the land characters besides Eric are cut or they invent entirely new characters instead. I remember way back saying I could envision Peter Dinklage as Eric's advisor for some reason. I don’t feel that the "Les Poissons" scene was unnecessary or slowed down things in the animated film, but of course I never felt that way about TP&TF either although I remember people here going on about it ad nauseum. These are family films and the scene adds some comic relief to the ticking clock tension between “PUS” and “KtG.” I guess, too, I always found it funny (both the song and the resulting chase)… Something about that doesn’t surprise me. It’s the same way people here seem to hate Timon & Pumbaa or Mushu, but I always thought Mushu was hilarious and I’m sure general audiences feel the same—they don’t take everything seriously like people talking online do.

I think they could still have an abbreviated scene there to add some humor with Sebastian. Something that’s similar, but not exactly the same like how they handled the Genie’s jokes in Aladdin.

[Disney Duster]

Don't worry Disneyfan97 you were cordial and not being mean in any way. You're good.

I would hope they would keep Les Poissons just because I think it would make the adaptation a true adaptation of the original movie. And to keep every Menken song in. To not have him is like having no snake Jafar...

[DisneyFan97]

I wouldn’t be surprised if most of the land characters besides Eric are cut or they invent entirely new characters instead. I remember way back saying I could envision Peter Dinklage as Eric's advisor for some reason. I don’t feel that the "Les Poissons" scene was unnecessary or slowed down things in the animated film, but of course I never felt that way about TP&TF either although I remember people here going on about it ad nauseum. These are family films and the scene adds some comic relief to the ticking clock tension between “PUS” and “KtG.” I guess, too, I always found it funny (both the song and the resulting chase)… Something about that doesn’t surprise me. It’s the same way people here seem to hate Timon & Pumbaa or Mushu, but I always thought Mushu was hilarious and I’m sure general audiences feel the same—they don’t take everything seriously like people talking online do.

I think they could still have an abbreviated scene there to add some humor with Sebastian. Something that’s similar, but not exactly the same like how they handled the Genie’s jokes in Aladdin.

I don't get how any one can dislike Timon and Pumbba they are great ! I love them !

I also like Scuttle

and i even like Victor, Hugo and Laverne

However i dislike Mater and there are several charchers from Disney channel animated shows who i absolutely hate

The Replacements a disney show that ran between 2006 and 2008 proabbly has my leasst favorite Disney animated character ever.

The worst Disney characters i think tend to come from there tv shows

[JeanGreyForever]

Characters like Chef Louie and scenes/songs like Les Poissons don't really work in live-action for me. They're geared towards the exaggerated style of animation that can afford to be larger than life but which don't translate well to reality. The same goes for characters like the King and the Grand Duke from Cinderella who were heavily toned down for live-action, and the same can apply to characters like Maurice, the Sultan, and Jafar. People were praising the toned down portrayals of the former two and remarking that a character like Jafar could never have worked in live-action the way he did in animation so I'm not sure why so many people suddenly think Chef Louie wouldn't require major overhauls as well.

On top of that, the song is the least memorable of the film and I don't think even the most ardent fans will really feel angry if its excluded, not to mention that Chef Louie is a pretty stereotypical character so Disney can do much better.

[JeanGreyForever]

Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay Join ‘The Little Mermaid’ Live-Action Adaptation
https://variety.com/2019/film/news/jaco ... 203257076/

Jacob Tremblay as Flounder and Awkwafina as Scuttle have been confirmed.

[DisneyFan97]

Characters like Chef Louie and scenes/songs like Les Poissons don't really work in live-action for me. They're geared towards the exaggerated style of animation that can afford to be larger than life but which don't translate well to reality. The same goes for characters like the King and the Grand Duke from Cinderella who were heavily toned down for live-action, and the same can apply to characters like Maurice, the Sultan, and Jafar. People were praising the toned down portrayals of the former two and remarking that a character like Jafar could never have worked in live-action the way he did in animation so I'm not sure why so many people suddenly think Chef Louie wouldn't require major overhauls as well.

On top of that, the song is the least memorable of the film and I don't think even the most ardent fans will really feel angry if its excluded, not to mention that Chef Louie is a pretty stereotypical character so Disney can do much better.

If both Chef Louie dosn't work in live action and also adds nothing to yhe story than i think it's obvious he should be removed. Although i am in favor of animated movies having as many talking characters as possible so you can have a big voice ensemble.

But i think they should remove him from the remake. Live Action Jafar was incredibly dull and unmemorable so maybe you shouldn't try to translate characters that only work in animation.

Of course deciding which characters those are can be hard.

I give Cinderella credit at least for finding an actor that looks really similar to the king in the animated movie even if they differ personality vies.

[UmbrellaFish]

Yeah, it’s strange to equate Timon and Pumbaa and Mushu to Chef Louis— T&P and Mushu are integral to the plot and character development of the main characters. Ariel doesn’t even interact with Chef Louis.

[Disney's Divinity]

I didn't equate Timon & Pumbaa or Mushu to Chef Louis. I only meant that this forum generally disdains the vast majority of characters whose main (or only) purpose is comedy.

I won’t really mind if the character is not in the remake although I think it could work in a very different, shortened, less exaggerated form. My post was about why I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the scene/song’s existence in the original film, more or less.

[DisneyFan97]

Update

Awkwafina and Jacob Tremblay are now officially cast.

They will be in the movie.

Here is the source
https://variety.com/2019/film/news/jaco ... 203257076/

Still fingers crossed they change their mind on Melissa Mccarthy !

[Disney's Divinity]

Update

Awkwafina and Jacob Tremblay are now officially cast.

They will be in the movie.

Here is the source
https://variety.com/2019/film/news/jaco ... 203257076/

Yay, so happy Awkwafina is officially cast.

I don't know what's going to happen with Ariel and Ursula. I hope Lea Michele is really being considered and not just being talked about online, and both she and McCarthy are signed soon, too.

[disneyprincess11]

I am not that familiar with Awkwafina, but if people are saying she'll be a brilliant Scuttle, then I'll take their word.

I think Melissa is a solid choice for Ursula. Would I love Alex Newell or Titus Burgess? Heck yes. But come on. Of course Disney won’t cast a drag queen as Ursula, despite the history. Imagine the amount of conservatives (a big chunk of the consumers) who will crap their pants over it and won’t take their kids/grandkids to the movie. It’s the same reason why Elsa can’t be a lesbian in Frozen 2. Disney is a BUSINESS first.

And weirdly enough, despite Skyler reporting that Zendaya rejected Ariel a month or two, he just subtly dropped that she is in fact Ariel:

https://twitter.com/Skylerhxc/status/11 ... 9675750400

[UmbrellaFish]

Yesterday, Skyler Shuler of the Disinsider tweeted a GIF of Zendaya with red hair without any context. He then followed it up with a tweet mocking those who oppose the idea of her casting as Ariel on racist grounds. Personally, I don’t have any opinions of Zendaya. The only thing I saw her in was The Greatest Showman, and I hated that movie. Her character left no impression on me, but neither did anybody else in that awful excuse for a musical (keep Pasek and Paul far away from Snow White!) so my opinion is a blank slate. I do think she is beautiful and we know how I feel about the hair she was recently sporting.

I think foregoing an act of God, Melissa McCarthy is cast as Ursula. It makes me sad, as I still think she is wrong for the role, despite (because of?) my affinity for McCarthy in other parts, but I will just have to accept that this new Ursula will feel very different than my Ursula. The crux of my feeling comes from the fact that McCarthy is incredible at playing gentle oddballs we want to win— if Disney we’re making an Ursula movie ala Maleficent, she’d be a brilliant choice— but it’s hard to imagine Melissa McCarthy ever being bad for the sake of being bad. I haven’t seen Can You Ever Forgive Yet? yet, but even then I think she comes out fairly sympathetic. In this movie, Disney will probably expand Ursula’s backstory to try and make her a more sympathetic character like McCarthy usually plays— Ursula was passed up for the crown because she looked weird and her brother was the golden child. Whatever, I’ll live. We will probably see Melissa McCarthy and Zendaya officially cast at D23 which is next month.

Yesterday on Twitter, he said two names being rumored for Prince Eric are not the names he is hearing— one of them Harry Styles, the other name I cannot remember and did not recognize. I don’t really have many opinions on who should play Eric except that he should be as attractive as the animated the character, and a good singer if they write him a song.

I wonder why we haven’t heard any rumors about Sebastian. I’m still inclined to believe they might change the music of “Under the Sea” and “Kiss this Girl” to have a Latin feel and cast Lin-Manuel Miranda. But that’s not based on anything more than a hunch. Finally, I am very hopeful that Jodi Benson is granted a decent sized role in the film— more than a cameo. Carlotta makes the only sense based on the 1989 script, but I could also be happy to see a flashback of her as Ariel’s mother.

EDIT:

I think Melissa is a solid choice for Ursula. Would I love Alex Newell or Titus Burgess? Heck yes. But come on. Of course Disney won’t cast a drag queen as Ursula, despite the history. Imagine the amount of conservatives (a big chunk of the consumers) who will crap their pants over it and won’t take their kids/grandkids to the movie. It’s the same reason why Elsa can’t be a lesbian in Frozen 2. Disney is a BUSINESS first.

Little more than ten years ago, Hairspray was a financial success at the box office with John Travolta in drag. Men appear in drag in lots of Disney films— I just rewatched Mulan today and it happens briefly in both of their Beauty and the Beast adaptations. There are probably other examples, too. I mean, you’re probably right that Disney is fearful they’d cause a controversy by casting a drag queen— but history shows that audiences are more accepting than they are given credit for.

[thedisneyspirit]

Yesterday, Skyler Shuler of the Disinsider tweeted a GIF of Zendaya with red hair without any context. He then followed it up with a tweet mocking those who oppose the idea of her casting as Ariel on racist grounds. Personally, I don’t have any opinions of Zendaya. The only thing I saw her in was The Greatest Showman, and I hated that movie. Her character left no impression on me, but neither did anybody else so my opinion is a blank slate. I do think she is beautiful and we know how I feel about the hair she was recently sporting.

I think foregoing an act of God, Melissa McCarthy is cast as Ursula. It makes me sad, as I still think she is wrong for the role, despite my affinity for her in other parts, but I will just have to accept that this new Ursula will feel very different than my Ursula. We will probably see Melissa McCarthy and Zendaya officially cast at D23 which is next month.

Yesterday on Twitter, he said two names being rumored for Prince Eric are not the names he is hearing— one of them Harry Styles, the other name I cannot remember and did not recognize. I don’t really have many opinions on who should play Eric except that he should be as attractive as the animated the character, and a good singer if they write him a song.

I wonder why we haven’t heard any rumors about Sebastian. I’m still inclined to believe they might change the music of “Under the Sea” and “Kiss this Girl” to have a Latin feel and cast Lin-Manuel Miranda. But that’s not based on anything more than a hunch. Finally, I am very hopeful that Jodi Benson is granted a decent sized role in the film— more than a cameo. Carlotta makes the only sense based on the 1989 script, but I could also be happy to see a flashback of her as Ariel’s mother.

Miranda doesn't do latin songs, at least nothing of Moana and Hamilton sounds "latin". Not rock or bossa nova or other. Hip-hop, blues and rap is purely an African-american thing.

And frankly, I've seen latino Disney fans in other websites and they think all the "changes" done to the little mermaid are pathetic. They liked it fine enough when it was "white", does that mean they're racist? probably according to this website Miranda is really disliked on those corners. They'd just be happy with the original LA Spanish dubbing instead of the horrible Spanish redub Disney promotes and be done with it.

[UmbrellaFish]

Like most of the great musical theatre writers, Lin-Manuel Miranda fuses different musical traditions in his works, including Latin music with hip hop and R&B in In The Heights. It’s not purely Latin or hip hop or R&B, it is musical theatre.

I’m not really here to have a discussion about whether people who dislike changes to TLM are racist or not— that was Skyler Shuler, not me. That said, I like more representation on the big screen and see no issues with anyone’s casting based on race in this fairy tale.

Also, thedisneyspirit, can you explain what your signature means and where your comparisons come from? I am confused but sort of amused at the idea of Goliath and Duster singing “I Got You Babe.”

[Disney's Divinity]

My opposition to Zendaya is because she’s a terrible actress. I watched Spider-Man: Homecoming, TGS, and a little of Shake It Up. The only one she wasn't entirely awful in was SM, but I still think that's because it was a background role only. I'm sure she's horrible in the sequel now the character is getting more spotlight; I haven't seen it yet to say. I had the same reaction to those Kristen Stewart rumors that had floated around for Belle in B&tB early on—and I think Zendaya would be an even worse choice than that. If they were going for a woman of color, she would still be at the bottom of the heap. I mean, Keke Palmer is a much better actress for example, even if her real life personality kind of bugs me. I would like a white girl with red hair for Ariel, no lie, but even if they decided the character will look nothing like the original, they could find so many people who would be better than Zendaya.

I wouldn't mind if they got the actor who played the prince of Dorne on Game of Thrones for Eric, Toby Sebastian. He was gorgeous. Harry Styles wouldn't be horrible. He has a nice smile and it's not like the Prince will be a demanding character to play... Although perhaps they might give Ariel and Eric a duet at the end, or at least another song for Eric in the vein of “Her Voice.”

And, yes, I suspected Miranda would be playing Sebastian as soon as he became involved with this (aka, the day this remake went to crap). Sebastian deserved better. Miranda is definitely no Wright or Burgess.

Imagine the amount of conservatives (a big chunk of the consumers) who will crap their pants over it and won’t take their kids/grandkids to the movie. It’s the same reason why Elsa can’t be a lesbian in Frozen 2. Disney is a BUSINESS first.

Then why is there regular pissing and moaning here about how Disney caters to ideas of diversity, strong female characters, etc.? At this point, I think it has more to do with the fact that the writers of Frozen just didn’t want to make Elsa a lesbian. The people behind the TLM Broadway show didn’t want a drag queen take for Ursula either.* I don’t think either of those choices have “nefarious” reasons behind them.

* Clearly, Broadway was more interested in completely mutilating the character to the point she was nothing like herself. And that is why it deserved to flop.

[Old Fish Tale]

I think foregoing an act of God, Melissa McCarthy is cast as Ursula. It makes me sad, as I still think she is wrong for the role, despite (because of?) my affinity for McCarthy in other parts, but I will just have to accept that this new Ursula will feel very different than my Ursula. The crux of my feeling comes from the fact that McCarthy is incredible at playing gentle oddballs we want to win— if Disney we’re making an Ursula movie ala Maleficent, she’d be a brilliant choice— but it’s hard to imagine Melissa McCarthy ever being bad for the sake of being bad. I haven’t seen Can You Ever Forgive Yet? yet, but even then I think she comes out fairly sympathetic. In this movie, Disney will probably expand Ursula’s backstory to try and make her a more sympathetic character like McCarthy usually plays— Ursula was passed up for the crown because she looked weird and her brother was the golden child. Whatever, I’ll live. We will probably see Melissa McCarthy and Zendaya officially cast at D23 which is next month.

How unimaginative! She's an actress. You don't think she's capable of playing someone evil? Monique was just a stand up comedian until she played one of worst mothers in film history. Broaden your mind! Even if she hasn't played anyone as bad as Ursula yet, I've seen enough of her work to know she can totally nail this role.

[UmbrellaFish]

Ah yeah, that guy was hot. Mostly, I ask that Prince Eric is hot.

[DisneyFan97]

Yesterday, Skyler Shuler of the Disinsider tweeted a GIF of Zendaya with red hair without any context. He then followed it up with a tweet mocking those who oppose the idea of her casting as Ariel on racist grounds. Personally, I don’t have any opinions of Zendaya. The only thing I saw her in was The Greatest Showman, and I hated that movie. Her character left no impression on me, but neither did anybody else in that awful excuse for a musical (keep Pasek and Paul far away from Snow White!) so my opinion is a blank slate. I do think she is beautiful and we know how I feel about the hair she was recently sporting.

I think foregoing an act of God, Melissa McCarthy is cast as Ursula. It makes me sad, as I still think she is wrong for the role, despite (because of?) my affinity for McCarthy in other parts, but I will just have to accept that this new Ursula will feel very different than my Ursula. The crux of my feeling comes from the fact that McCarthy is incredible at playing gentle oddballs we want to win— if Disney we’re making an Ursula movie ala Maleficent, she’d be a brilliant choice— but it’s hard to imagine Melissa McCarthy ever being bad for the sake of being bad. I haven’t seen Can You Ever Forgive Yet? yet, but even then I think she comes out fairly sympathetic. In this movie, Disney will probably expand Ursula’s backstory to try and make her a more sympathetic character like McCarthy usually plays— Ursula was passed up for the crown because she looked weird and her brother was the golden child. Whatever, I’ll live. We will probably see Melissa McCarthy and Zendaya officially cast at D23 which is next month.

Yesterday on Twitter, he said two names being rumored for Prince Eric are not the names he is hearing— one of them Harry Styles, the other name I cannot remember and did not recognize. I don’t really have many opinions on who should play Eric except that he should be as attractive as the animated the character, and a good singer if they write him a song.

I wonder why we haven’t heard any rumors about Sebastian. I’m still inclined to believe they might change the music of “Under the Sea” and “Kiss this Girl” to have a Latin feel and cast Lin-Manuel Miranda. But that’s not based on anything more than a hunch. Finally, I am very hopeful that Jodi Benson is granted a decent sized role in the film— more than a cameo. Carlotta makes the only sense based on the 1989 script, but I could also be happy to see a flashback of her as Ariel’s mother.

EDIT:

I think Melissa is a solid choice for Ursula. Would I love Alex Newell or Titus Burgess? Heck yes. But come on. Of course Disney won’t cast a drag queen as Ursula, despite the history. Imagine the amount of conservatives (a big chunk of the consumers) who will crap their pants over it and won’t take their kids/grandkids to the movie. It’s the same reason why Elsa can’t be a lesbian in Frozen 2. Disney is a BUSINESS first.

Little more than ten years ago, Hairspray was a financial success at the box office with John Travolta in drag. Men appear in drag in lots of Disney films— I just rewatched Mulan today and it happens briefly in both of their Beauty and the Beast adaptations. There are probably other examples, too. I mean, you’re probably right that Disney is fearful they’d cause a controversy by casting a drag queen— but history shows that audiences are more accepting than they are given credit for.

I think comparing hairspray to Little Mermaid is really interesting considering the star of the original movie was no other than Divine .

Maybe the should look at who as played the mom in hairspary on stage wheb seacrhing for an actress for Ursula.

I think Meleisa is a bad choice.

Ursula can be funny. But she is not a joke herself.

You aren't meant to find Ursula laughable just find the things she says funny.

Also makeing a character inspired by a big gay icon a joke might not be in good taste.
I don't want queerness to be a joke i just want qoueer chartchars that are funny.

In the best of worlds live action Ursula would become a gay icon after this movie is realsed and probably makes a ton of money.

Imagine an out and proud Gay octopus lady killing it with her singing and being sassy to all the other characters.

The eels can be like her boy-toys or feamle eye candy for her. I think making Flotsam and Jetsam female could work.

This would also be fitting since some think of litte mermiad as kind of an allogry for being trans and chaging gender or att least simlar ro that experience.
I personally headcanon Ariel as as autistic since only seems to have flunder as a friined also clearlyhas a spiceal interst in humans and people call her weird. But that's of topic,

I don't think there will be an drag qunne as Ursula but i hope it's not McCarthy.

Also some think the guy who wrote the danish fairy tale Hans Christian Andersen was autistic which find cool.

I think Judi Dench would be great. Few know this but Dench is a really good singer and has done some musical theater in England

[UmbrellaFish]

I think foregoing an act of God, Melissa McCarthy is cast as Ursula. It makes me sad, as I still think she is wrong for the role, despite (because of?) my affinity for McCarthy in other parts, but I will just have to accept that this new Ursula will feel very different than my Ursula. The crux of my feeling comes from the fact that McCarthy is incredible at playing gentle oddballs we want to win— if Disney we’re making an Ursula movie ala Maleficent, she’d be a brilliant choice— but it’s hard to imagine Melissa McCarthy ever being bad for the sake of being bad. I haven’t seen Can You Ever Forgive Yet? yet, but even then I think she comes out fairly sympathetic. In this movie, Disney will probably expand Ursula’s backstory to try and make her a more sympathetic character like McCarthy usually plays— Ursula was passed up for the crown because she looked weird and her brother was the golden child. Whatever, I’ll live. We will probably see Melissa McCarthy and Zendaya officially cast at D23 which is next month.

How unimaginative! She's an actress. You don't think she's capable of playing someone evil? Monique was just a stand up comedian until she played one of worst mothers in film history. Broaden your mind! Even if she hasn't played anyone as bad as Ursula yet, I've seen enough of her work to know she can totally nail this role.

No need to attack my imagination or lack thereof. We make judgments about actors based on their previous work, and in my judgment of McCarthy’s work I have come to a different conclusion than your’s. After all, you could say “He/she is an actor” about literally any actor and then we’d have nothing to talk about here because every actor would be immune to any speculative criticism. Don’t worry, I’ll give her a fair shake when the movie comes out, sheesh.