Word has bubbled to the surface that Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina are in talks to go where the seaweed is always greener for Disney's live-action remake of it's beloved animated classic THE LITTLE MERMAID.
The upcoming project has MARY POPPINS RETURNS helmer Rob Marshall strapping on his snorkel as director of the film, and it was recently announced that GHOSTBUSTERS and THE KITCHEN actress Melissa McCarthy is in talks to play the villain Ursula. In the classic 1989 Disney animated film, Princess Ariel strikes a Faustian bargain with Ursula in an attempt to become human and win a prince's love.
Should the deal swim rather than sink, Tremblay is expected to provide the voice of Ariel's best friend, Flouder, a bright yellow and blue colored tropical fish. Flounder was originally voiced by Jason Marin in the 1989 film.
As for Awkwafina, the comedic actress who polished her Hollywood star with such films as OCEAN'S 8 and CRAZY RICH ASIANS is being eyed for the voice of Scuttle, a seagull who befriends Ariel as well as the rest of her fishy friends. Screen legend Buddy Hackett provided the voice for the finely-feathered character in the animated film directed by both Ron Clements and John Musker.
Loosely based on the Danish fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen, Rob Marshall's live-action version will include beloved songs from directors Ron Clements and John Musker's 1989 animation as well as new tunes from Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda that are sure to convey that everything is better down where it's wetter. Meanwhile, David Magee will pen the script with Jessica Virtue and Allison Erlikhman overseeing for Disney.
When McCarthy's possible casting was first announced, the House of Mouse said that Marshall's film is "looking to make contemporary and compelling casting choices, while still paying homage to the beloved animated original."
Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID is just one of many of the studio's classic films that is set for a live-action re-do. Next month, the studio that Mickey Mouse build will unleash Jon Favreau's THE LION KING in theaters, which is likely to shatter box office expectations and then some. Also on the way is MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL, a sequel to director Robert Stromberg's 2014 fantasy epic starring Angelina Jolie. Among other live-action projects planned is Niki Caro's MULAN starring Jet Li, Yifei Liu, and Donnie Yen, as well as CRUELLA, a prequel to 101 DALMATIONS starring Emma Stone and Emma Thompson.
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