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The world premiere of Disney’s live-action reimagining of The Little Mermaid is happening right now! The press event pre-screening streamed live on QVC+ / HSN+ with host Tamara Hooks.
Here are the highlights from the red (actually blue) carpet event!
There are Hidden Mickeys in The Production Design of the Live-Action The Little Mermaid
Production designer John Myhre revealed that audiences may spot surprises in the background and sets of The Little Mermaid! he started the tradition of including hidden Mickeys throughout the set of Mary Poppins Returns (2018) and says Disney fans can spot more in this new film.
We’re going under the sea at #TheLittleMermaid carpet pic.twitter.com/9Frmhtmgkz
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 9, 2023
Keep your eyes peeled for hidden Mickey’s in the blue and white tile of Prince Eric’s palace, stones on the beaches arranged in the shape of Mickey’s head, and even in ropes aboard Eric’s ship. Apparently it took people on set an entire week to notice the hidden Mickey in the ropes!
Mayhre decided the style of architecture of Eric’s 1830’s castle as well as the world under the sea along with director Rob Marshall. Mayhre says the script is different than the animated film, and the movie came to life on the page. Expect a “big fantastic Disney movie!”
What the Stars of the Film had to say About The Little Mermaid
- Jodi Benson
Jodi Benson WILL have a cameo in the new film! Benson herself was very cheeky and coy about directly confirming it, but interviewer Tamara Hooks confirmed that fans will see the original Princess Ariel somewhere in the film. Benson shared her 37 year long love for Ariel and that she is so excited for Halle’s performance of ‘Part of Your World.’
QVC+ / HSN+
2. Daveed Diggs
Daveed Diggs, providing the voice of Sebastian the crab for the film hopes his interpretation “honored the original material” and leaned into his voice strengths as well as the “spirit of the production.” Diggs continues that nature of a live action adaptation gives characters “more agency” and alows them to be more grounded. Apparently the cast rehearsed together for a month like a musical and later on recorded their voices separately!
3. Melissa McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy’s portrayal of Ursula the Sea Witch is highly anticipated! McCarthy says that the classic Disney villain is “partially a good witch in her heart” and was “delicious to play.” “Villains are complicated,” McCarthy continues to describe as misunderstood and lonely. Melissa McCarthy says that “humor is in the recipe of Ursula” and that she is “funny and challenging like most women.”
QVC+ / HSN+
4. Javier Barden
Javier Bardem’s King Triton is a father who doesn’t want to lose his daughter, and Bardem praises director Rob Marshall for doing a “fantastic job of digging deeper into that dimension.” Even though Bardem is also a parent, he feels King Triton is more of a helicopter parent than he is. Bardem explains, “If you love someone you have to let that person free.”
5. Awkwafina
Awkwafina’s portrayal of Scuttle swaps the original character’s gender, but the role appealed to her because of the “cooky” personality. The actress admitted that it was “a dream” for her to be there, because she has been a die hard Disney fan since day one. Awkwafina loved that The Little Mermaid premiere had “completely taken over Hollywood Boulevard.”
Disney
6. Jonah Hauer-King
English actor Jonah Hauer-King plays fan favorite and Disney Prince, Eric. Hauer-King describes Prince Eric as an adventurous free-spirited guy “looking outward and not inward.” Fans are looking forward to his on screen chemistry with Halle Bailey. Hauer-King noted that the pairs “chemistry was easy” and they were immediately good friends. He describes Bailey as an “elegant, kind person.”
7. Halle Bailey
Honestly this look speaks for itself! Take a peek at Princess Ariel herself hitting the blue carpet for The Little Mermaid world premiere in Los Angeles!
Halle Bailey arrives at #TheLittleMermaid premiere.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 9, 2023
Keep in mind that first reactions to the film will hit social media tonight, even though the movie comes out in theaters everywhere on May 26. Enjoy the hype but watch out for spoilers!
