The full trailer for The Little Mermaid has finally aired and premiered at the 95th Annual Academy Awards, where movie stars Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy moderated the ceremony on Sunday.
Following a teaser at September’s D23 Expo, Disney unveiled its most detailed looks yet for the R&B singer and “Spy” star as live-action versions of the iconic princess Ariel and villainous sea witch Ursula, respectively. The new film, which hits theaters May 26, is a remake of Disney’s animated classic and recreates (and hopefully updates) the plot of the 1989 movie based on the new trailer.
It begins with the unsettling storm that throws the sobbing Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) overboard and fuels Ariel’s crush on the land-dwelling prince, much to the chagrin of her father, King Triton (Javier Bardem). This while Bailey’s version of “Part of Your World” crescendos.
“You can’t live in this world if you don’t become human yourself,” Ursula says to the mermaid in love.
“Is that even possible?” Ariel replies.
“That’s what I live for,” promises Ursula when the two make a deal to exchange the mermaid’s voice for human bones.
The trailer also recreates Atlantica, the colorful underwater world of the Lake People, Ariel’s iconic hair, and the romantic yet troubled “Kiss the Girl” boat scene.
The star-studded cast of “Mermaid” also includes Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, and Awkwafina as Scuttle.
The new feature musical is directed by Rob Marshall and features four new original songs performed by Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards for the original film’s music, and “Hamilton” writer Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Moana”, “Encanto” ) were written. and “Mary Poppins Returns”).
Bailey appeared on the Oscars red carpet ahead of Sunday’s ceremony and dropped hints about the trailer reveal by speaking during an interview with Laverne Cox on E! said she was “here for a reason”. She also told the host about the Disney princess-inspired dress she donned for the event: a spicy Dolce & Gabbana sea foam jam that instantly reminded people of Under the Sea.
“I was very excited to wear this beautiful puffy dress to enter the fairy world and make them a princess for a day. So I love it,” said the 22-year-old.
The Chloe x Halle singer – who along with her sister Chloe Bailey forms one half of the duo – handled the racial backlash against her cast with grace. On the red carpet, she also praised the creatives involved in the project.
“Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda are a great duo, but it was really exciting for me to sing the original songs that I loved so much,” she said. “And the new one, which I think people will just embrace and really love — and I hope they do, but I can’t wait for people to get a taste of something tonight.”
During Sunday’s presentation, Bailey and McCarthy said it was “an absolute joy” and “a dream come true” to make the film.
Source: LA Times
Thomas Summerville is an author and entertainment journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for keeping readers informed about the latest trends and happenings in the world of film, music, and pop culture.
