Within a week of programming in Italy, “the little Mermaid”Live-action Disney from the fairy tale directed by Hans Christian Rob Marshallhas exceeded 4 million in revenue at the box office. A treat for the eyes, a win on many fronts: hero halle baileyIn the pre-production phase, overwhelmed by racist controversies, Ariel ultimately proved to be an ideal. And johan bauer king He was able to make us forget that the role of Eric was originally intended for Harry Styles.
voice actor
Mahmud is one of the artists of Italian vocalsfor whom playing Sebastian is a dream come true: “I’m also very proud because the film was shot in Sardinia”, said the singer, “when I used to swim, in the sea where my mother used to watch me every day.” I identified with cartoon characters. It really came full circle for me”.
a circle is also closed for simona petitucci That in 1989’s “The Little Mermaid,” Ron Clements and John Musker were in the control room, she voices Ariel, and today she voices the Sea Witch, Ursula, instead.
Location
Most of “The Little Mermaid” was filmed in Sardinia: In particular, the rock from which Ariel emerges is part of the Reno Majore beach in the municipality of Aglianteu, while Prince Eric’s castle is located on the coast of Castellsardo and overlooks the spectacular Gulf of Asinara.
male protagonist
For the role of Prince Erik, then assigned to Johann Hauer King, he was initially optioned. Harry Styles, the former in the same direction, Despite maintaining close contact with director Rob Marshall in the months leading up to the film’s production, she ultimately declined the engagement, choosing to pursue her acting career all the more, with roles marked more by drama, where Marshall’s words were, His physical appearance was not overly in the foreground.
Songs “Revised and Corrected”
Me Too movement claims it also influenced the making of “The Little Mermaid”: Composer alan menken (already working on the live-action soundtrack Aladdin And the beauty and the Beast), revealed that he specifically edited one verse of the song “Kiss Her” with additions clarifying Ariel’s consent, The line “They fall in love though / Of him who knows how to keep quiet” from “Unfortunate Souls” was cut instead because it could make one think, Menken himself noted, “We believe that girls should not talk out of turn”.
The new Little Mermaid, a symbol of inclusivity
Among the first to rush to the defense of Halle Bailey, the target of racist comments since her engagement as the “new” Ariel, was influencer and artist Loretta Grace, better known on the web as “Grayson Yordash”. , who – in an interview with Zon.it, dated 2019 – praised Disney’s inclusive choice: “I started singing thanks to The Little Mermaid. And I didn’t care if she was black or white. I just sang”.