During the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards, a preview clip of the highly anticipated live-action version of The Little Mermaid was showcased. The clip features Halle Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King in the iconic boat ride scene, where Ariel and Prince Eric attempt to break Ursula’s spell by sharing a kiss. The scene also includes Flounder, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, Sebastian, voiced by Daveed Diggs, and Scuttle, voiced by Awkwafina.
Lyrics Modified to Address Consent Concerns
The live-action version of The Little Mermaid will include modified lyrics in the musical number “Kiss the Girl” to address consent concerns. Alan Menken, the composer, stated in a Vanity Fair interview that there are some revisions in the song to ensure that Prince Eric does not appear to be forcing himself upon Ariel. Similarly, changes have been made to the song “Poor Unfortunate Souls” to avoid any lines that may suggest young girls should not speak out of turn, despite Ursula’s manipulations.
The Little Mermaid, directed by Rob Marshall with a screenplay by David Magee, will hit theaters on May 26, 2023. The cast includes Halle Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King as Ariel and Prince Eric, respectively, with Melissa McCarthy as Ursula and Javier Bardem as King Triton. The film also features Noma Dumezweni, Art Malik, Lorena Andrea, Simone Ashley, Kajsa Mohammar, Nathalie Sorrell, Karolina Conchet, and Sienna King.
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