Disney has revealed who will play the lead character Ariel in their upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
Halle Bailey is probably best known for starring on the ABC TV sitcom Grown-ish as well as being a part of the soundtrack for Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time. She is also a Grammy-nominated singer which seems to bode well as this remake looks to have it’s fair share of musical numbers in it.
“After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role,” said director Rob Marshall.
Bailey will join a cast that currently includes Awkwafina playing Scuttle and Jacob Tremblay as Flounder. Melissa McCarty has been heavily rumored to play the film’s villain, Ursula.
Music for the fantasy-musical will be composed by long-time Disney vet Alan Menken along with Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The film is set to be filmed in Puerto Rico and South Africa though no start date or release date has been listed. We will likely find out more info at Disney’s D23 Expo next month.
