Disney reveals who’ll play Ariel in live-action Little Mermaid

Disney has announced who’ll take on the role of Ariel in the live-action Little Mermaid — and it’s proving a controversial choice for some.

Disney has today announced who will play Ariel in the upcoming live-action remake of the classic film The Little Mermaid.

Singer and actress Halle Bailey, 19, of R&B duo Chloe x Halle, has landed the film’s leading role.

Variety reports while the filmmakers met with a huge number of young actresses for the role, Bailey stood out from the start.

Halle Bailey. Picture: Evan Agostini/Invision

The cartoon Little Mermaid. Picture: Disney

“After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role,” director Rob Marshall said in a statement.

Just Announced: Halle Bailey has been cast in the upcoming live-action reimagining of The Little Mermaid. pic.twitter.com/GAUydbkfMV

— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) July 3, 2019

Bailey has already expressed her excitement about the project, tweeting “dream come true” from her band’s social media account:

dream come true... 🧜🏽‍♀️🌊 pic.twitter.com/sndjYUS6wO

— chloe x halle (@chloexhalle) July 3, 2019

The casting has already caused a stir online, with a slew of negative responses under Walt Disney Studios’ announcement from people criticising what they say is Bailey’s lack of physical likeness to the 1989, redheaded cartoon version of Ariel.

“Thanks for ruining my favorite Disney Classic not fair!She’s beautiful although I don’t know her, but she doesn’t look physically like ARIEL,” wrote one fan.

“.. she looks nothing like Ariel tho. come on Disney first Mulan now the little mermaid. You’re breaking my heart over here,” said another.

“Thanks for ruining my favorite movie. I won’t see it. Sorry for her, it’s not her fault, she is a good singer, but she won’t be a good Ariel,” wrote another.

“Where (sic) not racists we just don’t like it when they change everything that makes classic character classic and loveable!” said another.

Many more people have applauded the decision to cast a black actress to play Ariel:

Halle Bailey from the group ChloeXHalle was cast as Ariel in Disney's Live Action Little Mermaid

Black Twitter pic.twitter.com/YHoNVaULmv

— Shan (@shanuddin889) July 3, 2019

Ariel, our Little Mermaid pic.twitter.com/c1tFPJF5VA

— marcus (@comicvix) July 3, 2019

Remember what happened the last time Disney disregarded the race of the cartoon characters for a live adaptation? Cause I sure do!

This is how I know Halle Bailey is going to slay the role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid! Excited to see how the rest of cast pans out too! pic.twitter.com/h3IEjbNiL1

— Nicholas D. (@Creat1ve) July 3, 2019

Halle Bailey,a black girl with dreads is gonna be playing Ariel in the little mermaid live action... racists are gonna be mad mad pic.twitter.com/qWBUCaqGS9

— Zimzalabim (@Versacelili) July 3, 2019

This girl can 100% be Ariel, and if y’all are mad about it....

Complain to your granny, because the rest of us don’t wanna hear it.#ariel #littlemermaid pic.twitter.com/9R437ZAkHg

— Don Corleone (@DCisChillin) July 3, 2019

Looking forward to a bunch of grown men segueing from being extremely mad about shoes to being extremely mad about The Little Mermaid

— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) July 3, 2019

Disney has cast Halle Bailey as Ariel for the Little Mermaid live action film and I’m just here to see who will be mad. Bc I know some of you will be and I’m excited pic.twitter.com/K9OiHGkXLf

— valerie complex (@ValerieComplex) July 3, 2019

we have a black ariel 🧜🏾‍♀️ ...the racists lost! #littlemermaid pic.twitter.com/GT7j3QNKVW

— candice 🏹 (@ceIestiaIcee) July 3, 2019

We’re getting a beautiful black mermaid for the Little Mermaid live action movie. Do you understand how much of an impact this will make for little black girls to see a fantasy of themselves on screen? A black mermaid! I could cry! 😭💕 #HalleBailey #LittleMermaid pic.twitter.com/7CMbOOV4G5

— Moon Princess 🌙✨ (@RheaMorris_) July 3, 2019

The young star will join previously announced cast members including comedian Akwafina as Scuttle and child actor Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, while it was reported last week Melissa McCarthy was in talks to take on the iconic role of Ursula.

This live-action film will feature songs made popular in the 1989 original as well as new material written by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Fans of the original film will have to wait a while to see this new version — filming won’t start until next year, and while no release date has been announced, it may not hit cinemas until 2022.

Halle (left) and Chloe Bailey of Chloe x Halle. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images/AFP

There’ll be plenty of live-action Disney remakes to tide fans over until then, though. Next on the list: the hugely anticipated new Lion King movie out later this month, Lady and the Tramp in November and a live-action Mulan expected in March next year.