Even with the hype from Disney fans, there was some backlash regarding some of the movie's changes, such as casting a woman of color as Ariel, since she does not have pale skin and bright red hair like the animated mermaid.

Why did Disney change Little Mermaid?

The change also allows Disney to elide that the original movie operated with the subtext that this was a sexual awakening for a 16-year-old mermaid. In the classic, she falls in love with Eric because she's physically attracted to him, seeing him first as a literal statue, not a walking, talking, thinking human man.

Are there two versions of The Little Mermaid?

If you're a big fan of The Little Mermaid, you probably already know there are quite a few differences between the original fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen and the 1989 Disney adaptation. And yes, there are quite a few changes between the animated Disney film and 2023's new live-action The Little Mermaid.

Why did they make the new Ariel black?

This version of The Little Mermaid is great for young people because it allows them to better appreciate diversity and gain a better sense of the world. Diversity and inclusion in film and TV can attract a larger audience and is seen as more authentic and enjoyable.

Was the original Little Mermaid black?

1. The little mermaid in the book was white. Here is how Hans Christian Andersen described the little mermaid: “They were six lovely girls, but the youngest was the most beautiful of them all.

The Little Mermaid Movie Ariel and Ursula Dolls Color Change Transformation with Nail Polish

Did The Little Mermaid 2023 flop?

The reported box office result of The Little Mermaid 2023 remake is about $560 million. On paper, these numbers look good. The film grossed over $298 million domestically and more than $263 million internationally.

Why is the new Tinkerbell black?

The reason studios make beloved characters black in the live action adaptations is so they don't have to go to the trouble of actually giving special, brand new unique characters made from scratch to black people.

Is Ariel the first black Disney Princess?

In Disney's nearly 100-year history, there has been only one Black Disney princess — Princess Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog,” a 2009 animated feature starring Anika Noni Rose.

Why is the new Little Mermaid so dark?

While lighting itself isn't all that expensive, darkness can be used to hide a lot of things. Halle Bailey is not actually a mermaid, and so having the scenes be darker makes it easier to disguise the CGI work.

Why is Ursula an octopus?

Animated by Ruben A. Aquino, Ursula's original design was inspired by several different sea creatures, including manta rays and scorpion fish, before Clements finally decided to base the character on an octopus; her number of tentacles was reduced from eight to six for financial reasons.

Is Sebastian a crab or a lobster?

While some of Sebastian's features resemble a lobster, Sebastian is definitely a crab, as is stated in The Little Mermaid itself a few times. This includes the scene where the obsessed Chef Louis refers to Sebastian as a crab, and since he's a professional, he really should know.

Why was Scuttle changed to a girl?

Scuttle is not only changed from male to female but is also now a diving bird instead of a seagull. "This was done specifically so that Ariel would only meet Scuttle underwater, because, at the start of our story, Ariel has never dared go above the surface," director Rob Marshall said in production notes.

Why is Ursula not a mermaid?

Rather, Ursula's appearance is radically different from her family, and she sports tentacles that look like a permanent black dress. It's possible Ursula is not a mermaid in appearance because she and Triton did not have the same mother or father. If they're half siblings, Ursula's tentacles make more sense.

Why does Ariel look different?

10 Ariel's Appearance

The announcement that Halle Bailey would play Ariel was met with controversy from people who thought Ariel should remain white, and changing the race of Ariel to a Black woman was Disney's attempt at a political statement. Naysayers also thought Bailey wasn't suited for the role.

Why was Tinker Bell removed from the Disney?

However, Tinker Bell was removed so she could lead her own franchise as a Disney fairy, and through that, she got to star in a couple of movies. Other characters were considered to be part of the Disney Princesses franchise but didn't make it, as were Enchanted's Giselle, Tarzan's Jane, and Frozen's Anna and Elsa.

Why was Tinker Bell removed from Disney Princess?

In Esmeralda's case, the reason was that the sales of The Hunchback of Notre Dame products were not going as Disney had hoped, and the character was not as popular with the audience. Tinker Bell's situation was quite different because she was removed so that she could star in her own franchise known as Disney Fairies.

Why is Tinker Bell no longer a Disney Princess?

Tinker Bell

Per Disney lore, this was because she committed an act of bravery worthy of a princess, but in reality, it was so the Mouse House could add a popular character to its lucrative line of toys. Commercial reasons were also behind Tinker Bell's removal as a princess.

How much did Halle Bailey get paid for The Little Mermaid?

It's believed that Bailey made about $1.5 million for her role as Ariel in The Little Mermaid, but that number could increase depending on how well the film performs opening weekend and beyond.

How much did Halle get for The Little Mermaid?

According to Showbiz Galore, she was reportedly paid $1.5 million to don the tail and seashells, though some news outlets reported slightly more modest earnings of $500,000. Despite the online backlash about casting a Black Ariel, this project made Halle Bailey a household name, especially among young Disney fans.

What color was Ariel supposed to be?

Ariel, is a fictional character, with no defined skin color in her original material. She was originally written by a Danish author in the 1800s. She has been portrayed in ballet and movies by Asian, Russian, and mixed-race individuals, her cartoon depictions are typically pale.

What happened to Ariel's mom?

While it is known that her mother perished, there is no story attached to the event. However, much later, in 2008, an animated The Little Mermaid prequel revealed that Ariel's mother was crushed by a pirate ship during an altercation between humans and merpeople.

Why was Ariel's hair not red?

And while creators of The Little Mermaid originally wanted Ariel to have blonde hair to stay in keeping with the fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen, Splash's massive popularity was still too hot to ignore. So, in a bid to stand out from the crowd, an iconic change was given to the underwater princess.