The Little Mermaid Release Date is May 26

 

Disney's live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid is set to be released on May 26. 2023. The new film, directed by Rob Marshall, stars R&B singer Halle Bailey as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as the villainous sea witch Ursula. The fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen follows the journey of a young mermaid who is willing to give up her life in the sea as a mermaid to gain a human soul.

In an interview with Edition magazine, Halle Bailey discussed embodying Ariel in Disney’s upcoming live-action reimagining of The Little Mermaid, noting that the response to the trailer was a “shock.” News of Bailey’s casting as Ariel initially drew ire from some Disney fans, who took issue with a Black actress embodying the role of the fictional princess.  Despite many racist comments from trolls, the actress and singer was grateful that young women of color were able to relate to her character.

She also confirmed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that the director Rob Marshall encouraged her to incorporate aspects of herself into the iconic role, including her locs "— incorporating my locs into the red hair was something that was really special to me." The Grammy Award nominee and half of celebrated sister duo Chloe x Halle further expounded, “I’m really excited for my version of the film because we’ve definitely changed that perspective of just her wanting to leave the ocean for a boy,” she explained. “It’s way bigger than that. It’s about herself, her purpose, her freedom, her life and what she wants. As women we are amazing, we are independent, we are modern, we are everything and above. And I’m glad that Disney is updating some of those themes.”

 "Seeing the world’s reaction to it was definitely a shock, but seeing all the babies’ reactions, all the brown and Black young girls, really tore me up emotionally,” she said. “It’s honestly been such a crazy ride, and I genuinely feel shocked and honored and grateful to be in this position. A lot of times, I have to pinch myself and be like, is this real life?”