The Little Mermaid (Live-Action)

[UmbrellaFish]

Many people have said, “what if they cast Tiana as a white woman?” because they know there would justifiably be an uproar. In American culture, the reason there is a difference between changing the race of an established white character to a minority race and changing the race of an established minority character to white is hundreds of years of history. To this day, non-white people are underrepresented across all forms of American media— there is one black Princess and a slew of white ones. And in the past, when racial minorities were depicted on stage and screen, those roles were commonly depicted by white actors giving truly heinous and offensive portrayals in black face and brown face. Coupled with America’s utterly abysmal history with race that we all know, I hope— the meaning of this casting is vastly different than a hypothetical white Tiana.

Scientifically accurate mermaids are a dumb idea, too. If that’s your argument for why their skin color should be white, do you also want them to be hairless, scale-less with skin like dolphins and manatees, with dark eyes attuned for seeing in the dark? Why is it so important that a mermaid’s skin color be one way but not all these other features?

[Mooky]

To add on to what I wrote earlier, seeing people on Instagram (some of which appeared to be progressive) fume over this casting choice and saying they won't be seeing the movie and that Walt is rolling in his grave (:roll:), compels me to firmly stand behind this movie.

[Sotiris]

Black Panther was a phenomenon, this will undoubtedly be a celebration film, and I think it’ll be really exciting to see the reactions from people.

I don't think The Little Mermaid is comparable to Black Panther. Black Panther is a Marvel film and Marvel has a very large and loyal fanbase, there's an overarching narrative in the MCU which creates a sense of urgency to not miss an installment, it didn't suffer from any backlash (as far as I recall), and it was a male-led film that was primarily targeted to a male demographic. Unfortunately, WDAS isn't very strong as a brand and that's why the level of success for each remake is inconsistent, it's a musical which a lot of people avoid, and a female-led film targeting a female demographic. And now, a good chunk of its potential audience has been alienated with the casting controversy. I think I'm reasonably worried. I hope the love for Ariel and the original film overpowers everything else.

I guess Asian actors are only good enough to play seagulls in Disney's eyes.

It's a diving bird now. Though we still don't know of which species. A pelican perhaps?

One person stated that everyone is turning black in the live-action remakes, citing the Captain in Cinderella, the Wardrobe and Featherduster in BATB, Genie in Aladdin, Ariel in TLM, and ironically enough, Scar in TLK. This was prompted by a response that Disney hates white people because the only film without a black person is Mulan since Mushu has been cut out.

They forgot Prince Phillip in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.

[estefan]

I don't see anything wrong with this casting, personally. The visual trait that has always struck me about Ariel is not her skin colour, but rather her hair. And for all of the complaints that they didn't cast a redhead, it is extremely likely that Bailey will dye her hair for the role. Emma Stone is a natural blonde and has dyed her hair red for multiple roles. Kirsten Dunst did the same thing when she played Mary Jane in the "Spider-Man" movies, as did Sarah Michelle Gellar for the role of Daphne in the live-action "Scooby-Doo" movies. Apparently, the actor who played Archie on the "Riverdale" show is also not a natural redhead.

The reaction to this casting news sort of reminds me of the reaction to the casting of the 2014 adaptation of "Annie." The major complaint was that Annie was drawn as a white red-headed girl and can't be black. But Annie was made a redhead, because of prejudice against Irish immigrants in the US at the time, and Annie gave representation to a group that was ostracized. Anti-Irish prejudice doesn't exist in the United States anymore, but racism against black people unfortunately still does.

Of course, the difference between Annie and Ariel is that Ariel being given red hair in the animated movie wasn't to make a point. It was mostly to differentiate her from Daryl Hannah in "Splash", who was still fresh in people's minds. Of course, the red hair also added to her character and gave Ariel a uniqueness among her sisters. But like I said, I'm predicting Ariel will retain her red locks for the live-action movie.

[MrXemnas1992]

have they announced the casting of triton, eric, and sebastian yet?

[Disney's Divinity]

Scientifically accurate mermaids are a dumb idea, too.

Makes as much sense as saying it’s logical Ariel should be non-white because the movie is “somewhere” in the Caribbean. Ariel doesn't live on land and that’s complete nonsense.

@estefan: I’m sure she will dye her hair, but let’s not be dishonest, her hair will never be anything more than light brown. That is not going to look anything like the character and we all know it, whether some of us want to admit it out loud or not.

[Farerb]

I see a lot of negative disproportional hate on the internet. I get wanting Ariel to look like her animated counterpart, but it is not that big deal. The animated film will always be here, that's not going to change. The actress really does not deserve this hate and I hope that doesn't discourage her.

[Disney's Divinity]

The hate is not directed at the actress. It's not going to be the actress' fault Disney screwed this remake up. TLM is such a simplistic film. The fact that they are never able to cobble it together properly in its various other iterations is only a proof of how incompetent Disney and the people they employ are. Makes you wonder that if there hadn't been Howard Ashman, if the original TLM would've been garbage, too.

[DC Fan]

Umbrella Fish

As a Puerto Rican (minority) I get the argument of changing a race.

I wouldn't want or anyone won't do me any favors if they'd change an already established character (let's say white) for a Puerto Rican. In the case of comics for instance let's bring back a forgotten Puerto Rican character and give it importance or create a new one.

The only way I don't mind a change in race is when we're talking of a minor/forgotten character or in the case of The Little Mermaid to make it accurate to the location. Yet, as said, they should have kept a white Caribbean actress as Ariel.

In fact, I'm getting in quite heated arguments because I, as a white Puerto Rican, advocate for Ariel to be white. Even people have told me that because we're a minority in the Caribbean I still doesn't matter. So I'm a double minority and yet I can't speak my mind.

[DisneyFan97]

The hate is not directed at the actress. It's not going to be the actress' fault Disney screwed this remake up. TLM is such a simplistic film. The fact that they are never able to cobble it together properly in its various other iterations is only a proof of how incompetent Disney and the people they employ are. Makes you wonder that if there hadn't been Howard Ashman, if the original TLM would've been garbage, too.

I think you're both mean and overeating. The skin color of Ariel doesn't matter at all.

Mermaids aren't even real.

Disney can make Ariel what ever color they feel like. The imprant thing is sha has the same personality.

Considering the orginal movie is beloved and the " various other iterations" incloud a two cheap dtv sequels/prequels which were destined to not be good and a made for tv show thay aired on saturday mornings. I don't think you blame them for not being very good. I don't think you can say Disney dosn't know how to handle the story !

I have not seen the stage so but i liked the soundtrack when listen to it.

[Disney's Divinity]

I think you're both mean and overeating.

And I don't care if you think I'm mean. Most of the people here are hateful af. You can live with it if I can. I'm not going to lie just to make you feel better.

[thedisneyspirit]

Thank you for speaking on behalf of the people of Latin America, but can you please not? Thanks

I'm also from Latin-America. So what, I'm not allowed to voice my opinion? The people of that forum can also speak for themselves, too. Or what, are you gonna make an account there and try to gag them for their unworthy opinions?

[Farerb]

The hate is not directed at the actress. It's not going to be the actress' fault Disney screwed this remake up. TLM is such a simplistic film. The fact that they are never able to cobble it together properly in its various other iterations is only a proof of how incompetent Disney and the people they employ are. Makes you wonder that if there hadn't been Howard Ashman, if the original TLM would've been garbage, too.

I give A LOT of credit for Howard Ashman, but the film wasn't just his doing. Musker and Clements are great filmmakers who made successful and great films besides The Little Mermaid. I don't have high hopes for the remake as well, mainly because I don't like Rob Marshall.

[Vlad]

I kinda like her, I think she's super gorgeous. And her singing voice is beautiful, too. She'll be a great Ariel

[DisneyFan97]

I think you're both mean and overeating.

And I don't care if you think I'm mean. Most of the people here are hateful af. You can live with it if I can. I'm not going to lie just to make you feel better.

So because others act rudely that makes it okay for you to be rude ?

Also has anyone even ben hateful to you on here ?

[DisneyFan97]

I really trust Disney's casting department they have only made two bad casting decisions in terms of these remakes Sharlto Copley who was kind of ridiculous as Stefan and Marwan Kenzari as Jafar who was so incredibly dull and uncarasmatic as Jafar.

[Disney's Divinity]

So because others act rudely that makes it okay for you to be rude ?

Also has anyone even ben hateful to you on here ?

First of all, I'm not being rude, imo, least of all to you. I haven't said anything to or about you. Number 2, yes, I think you should go after everyone instead of just people you disagree with if policing "meanness" is what you want to waste your time doing.

EDIT:
Zendaya Congratulates Halle Bailey On Ariel Casting
https://screenrant.com/little-mermaid-z ... l-casting/

I giggled when I saw this headline. She must be disappointed they unnecessarily race-bent Ariel and still didn't pick her. Good riddance to you, Zendaya. At least Bailey is actually talented.

[DisneyFan97]

So because others act rudely that makes it okay for you to be rude ?

Also has anyone even ben hateful to you on here ?

First of all, I'm not being rude, imo, least of all to you. I haven't said anything to or about you. Number 2, yes, I think you should go after everyone instead of just people you disagree with if policing "meanness" is what you want to waste your time doing.

Who is it a waste of time to get people to be nice ?

I think you are ridiculous saying Ariel can't be black and Disney can't handle the story. Booth claims are untrue.

I can literally see nothing wrong with Ariel being black !

Not a single thing !

As i said Disney has been really good with casting these remake. thier only misfier was Jafar.

I think they will do an exellent job with casting this one too.

[Disney's Divinity]

I think you are ridiculous saying Ariel can't be black and Disney can't handle the story. Booth claims are untrue.

And as I said already, I don't care what you think about my opinion. Ariel obviously can be black considering Bailey was cast, wasn't she? But neither she or McCarthy are perfect casts, and I'm not going to pretend like they are to please you. The Broadway show was trash and I won't be surprised if this is the same, considering it's already on that track with mediocre choices for the two critical roles and likely Miranda for Sebastian. And I do not care if saying that offends you.

[unprincess]

But Annie was made a redhead, because of prejudice against Irish immigrants in the US at the time, and Annie gave representation to a group that was ostracized. Anti-Irish prejudice doesn't exist in the United States anymore, but racism against black people unfortunately still does.

speaking of the Irish, anyone noticed how common it is that when they race-bend a white character its usually a redhead? there's even a whole chart about it on 4chan, which I'm too lazy to link to right now. But yeah, wuz up with that?

I'm white Hispanic too, I would have loved a white Latin-Caribbean Ariel too, if they're really gonna set it in the Caribbean which would actually be an awesome idea. Setting it in on one of the Caribbean Islands(PR, Cuba, or DR) back when it was still ruled by Spain, would make for an interesting, unique location. Actually yeah this has to be Lin Manuel's influence. And yes the girl who played Ariel on OUAT was perfect and she was Hispanic too, they should've just cast her(if she could sing anyway!)

btw I keep reading her name as Halle Berry, its so annoying!