"Well, the six pack is gone now, but it was there when I was filming," Bailey jokes during a video chat with USA TODAY for Friday's release of the new live-action movie. Taking on the role of a beloved and ethereal Disney princess may seem like light work to us commoners, but Bailey, 23, assures it was anything but.

How much did Halle Bailey get paid for 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 old is Ariel in The Little Mermaid 2023?

Ariel Is 18 Years Old In The Little Mermaid

describe the lead character as a "spirited 18-year-old." The evidence behind Ariel being aged up two years compared to the animated movie can be seen in the live-action remake. This includes Urusla saying that Ariel was only a child when she was banished 15 years ago.

Did Halle Bailey dye her hair for Little Mermaid?

“But I really did admire the fact that because I'm a Black woman and I have locs, [the producers] wanted to incorporate that into Ariel's look,” she added. To get the look, Halle Bailey worked with hairstylist Camille Friend to dye her roots red and wrap her locks in the same hued hair.

How long did it take to film The Little Mermaid 2023?

The movie comes to theatres on Friday, May 26, but the release has been years in the making. "Oh, gosh, it felt like we had four babies. It took four years, four and a half years. It was such a sense of relief, accomplishment, joy, pride," said Rob Marshall, the director and producer of "The Little Mermaid."

The Little Mermaid 2023 Making of & Behind the Scenes

How did they film The Little Mermaid 2023 underwater scenes?

The Little Mermaid director, Rob Marshall, who has worked on other Disney projects, including Mary Poppins and Pirates of the Caribbean, filmed most of the underwater scenes on blue screen soundstages in London. The team behind The Little Mermaid also used nautical footage as inspiration to create the ocean scenery.

Who auditioned for Ariel in The Little Mermaid?

Director Rob Marshall reveals what it was like seeing Halle Bailey's initial audition for Ariel. “The first actor we saw for this role was Halle. The first thing she did is she came in and sang for us.

Why was Halle Bailey's hair so expensive?

The hair that was added was Keratin-infused, three different shades of red, and 30 inches long — which meant the price tag was high. “I'm not guesstimating, but we probably spent at least $150,000 because we had to redo it and take it out," Friend said. "You couldn't use it and we'd have to start again.

Does Halle Bailey wear a wig?

The physical transformation of Halle did take some time, effort, and money to help her become the character of Ariel. According to Variety, Halle Bailey wished to stay true to her Black heritage and show her natural hair in the movie. So, hair extensions were used rather than a wig.

Why does Ariel have dreadlocks?

Bailey, who wears her hair in locs or “dreads”, said the producers were keen to stay true to her Black heritage through the character.

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.

How old is Eric if Ariel is 16?

Ariel and Eric

Ariel was just 16 in The Little Mermaid when she made a deal with the sea witch Ursula so she could pursue Prince Eric, who was 18, on the land!

Why was Halle Bailey casted for Ariel?

Rob Marshall, the director of The Little Mermaid, said he cast her as Ariel because she had an “otherworldly sensibility”, and, instantly, you can see what he means.

What did Melissa McCarthy get paid for Little Mermaid?

Melissa McCarthy, who played the devious Ursula in the live-action, made $500,000 for her work in the film. Other cast members received more modest salaries for their supporting roles.

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.

Where was Little Mermaid filmed?

The live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid utilized CGI and special effects to create the underwater world and was filmed in Sardinia, Italy, to give it a Caribbean feel. The villages of Santa Teresa di Gallura and Castelsardo in Sardinia were used to film various scenes.

Why isn t Halle's hair red?

One fan pointed out that her hair looked less vibrantly red because the film is "lit realistically." After seeing this trailer, it's not that the Little Mermaid doesn't have color. It's just all lit realistically.

Was The Little Mermaid low budget?

Disney has revealed that the cost of making the live action version of its classic cartoon The Little Mermaid swelled to nearly $300 million by the end of August last year, eight months before the movie opened. The colossal cost blows its estimated budget out of the water.

How much did The Little Mermaid dreads cost?

Hairstylist Camille Friend discussed Halle Bailey's "The Little Mermaid" transformation with Variety. Friend explained how she wrapped Bailey's natural locs with synthetic red hair to create the look. According to Friend, the process took 12 to 14 hours and cost more than $150,000.

Did Lizzo audition for Ursula?

Lizzo Reflects on Her 'Terrible' Audition for 'The Little Mermaid' Remake: 'I Was Down to Make Ursula a THOT' "The singing was great. I'll just say that," the singer shared of going for the role.

Who else auditioned for Ursula?

Lizzo showcased her audition for The Little Mermaid's Ursula in a since-privated viral video. She didn't get the part, but she "was down to make Ursula a THOT, shaking ass." The role went to Melissa McCarthy, whom Lizzo met during a taping of Adele's "One Night Only" concert.

Who else could have played Ursula?

The Ursula we know (and fear) was almost not. Disney worked through several versions of “The Little Mermaid's” antagonist, from trying to cast Bea Arthur, Joan Collins and Broadway star Elaine Stritch to voice the villain to considering her form to a shark.