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As many Disney fans know — and may or may not like — right now, Disney is big on live-action remakes. From past releases like Cinderella, The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast, to current releases like Pinocchio, and future releases including The Little Mermaid and Snow White, it seems that there is no animated film that Disney WON’T turn into a live-action remake. While some, like Aladdin, are more popular and highly-anticipated than others (Lilo & Stitch anyone?), there are others that move audiences to tears and stir all the emotions.
Credit: Disney
Just a few days ago — at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California — Disney finally released a trailer for its upcoming live-action film, The Little Mermaid. The film stars Halle Bailey as Ariel and, from the beginning, the choice was seen as a controversial one. However, that was before Disney released the trailer, which blew fans away — including one young fan who couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
Credit: Disney
TikTok user Candace (@candikane_) uploaded a video of her daughter, Sienna, watching the trailer for the first time. Sienna is black and couldn’t believe that she was seeing a Little Mermaid who looked like her. You can watch the video below but, fair warning, you may need some tissues.
@candikane__ Sienna loves Ariel #thelittlemermaid #theelittlemermaid #hallebailey #ariel #blindreact #fyp #Sienna #blackgirljoy
The video is quickly going viral on both TikTok and Twitter — where another user Lai (@normanination4) shared an entire thread of young black girls having incredible reactions to an iconic Disney princess being black.
As I stroll on TikTok, I keep seeing parents video their children reacting to The Little Mermaid trailer. So instead of focusing so much on the negative, I thought I’d show a thread of the little black kids who are excited to see their favorite princess look like them.
As I stroll on TikTok, I keep seeing parents video their children reacting to The Little Mermaid trailer. So instead of focusing so much on the negative, I thought I’d show a thread of the little black kids who are excited to see their favorite princess look like them.
— Lai💔 (@normanination4) September 11, 2022
If you have yet to see the trailer, you can watch it below:
The Little Mermaid remake will also star Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, and Javier Bardem as King Triton. Jacob Tremblay will voice Flounder, Awkwafina will voice Scuttle, and Daveed Diggs of Hamilton fame will voice King Triton’s trusty crustacean advisor, Sebastian.
The film faced several setbacks — including the COVID-19 pandemic — but it is finally finished, and it looks beautiful. It was also previously shared that the animated ‘s original songwriter returned to the project to write some with Hamilton creator .
The Little Mermaid is set to be released in theaters on May 26, 2023.
