TheHollywoodReporter has word that Awkwafina (Jumanji: The Next Level, Crazy Rich Asians) and Jacob Tremblay (The Predator, Room) are expected to take roles in Rob Marshall’s live-action Little Mermaid movie for Walt Disney Pictures. They would be playing the supporting characters of Scuttle the seagull and Flounder the fish.
Recently, it was revealed that Oscar-nominee Melissa McCarthy was in talks to play the role of villainess Ursula the sea witch.
The actress playing Ariel has yet to be announced, but ThatHashtagShow posted a rumbling last summer that Spider-Man: Far From Home actress Zendaya was a rumored frontrunner for the part.
Disney’s live-action remakes of their classic animated feature films have mostly done well at the box office with Aladdin inching towards $900 million globally, while a few outliers like Dumbo have had a tougher time making money.
The Lion King (not so much live-action) is projected to make big month this month with a potential $200 million opening weekend domestically.
A release date for The Little Mermaid has yet to be made official. However, Disney has mapped-out a bunch of release dates already that could eventually end up going to The Little Mermaid.
The new movie is expected to be a remake of the 1989 animated film.
In Disney’s beguiling animated romp, rebellious 16-year-old mermaid Ariel is fascinated with life on land. On one of her visits to the surface, which are forbidden by her controlling father, King Triton, she falls for a human prince. Determined to be with her new love, Ariel makes a dangerous deal with the sea witch Ursula to become human for three days. But when plans go awry for the star-crossed lovers, the king must make the ultimate sacrifice for his daughter.
SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
