Fans of Disney’s classic The Little Mermaid have been anxiously awaiting the live-action remake that was announced in 2016 for literally years. Disney has been releasing live-action remakes more and more often during the past few years, but The Little Mermaid has been a fan favorite for years, so the anticipation has been building ever since 2016. On Sunday, March 12, fans finally got to see the new full trailer for the film, starring Halle Bailey as Ariel. Bailey was announced to be playing Princess Ariel in July 2019.
The casting announcement was unfortunately met with some backlash due to Bailey being the first Black woman to play Ariel. However, it didn’t phase Bailey. “As a Black person, you just expect it and it’s not really a shock anymore,” she told The Face in February 2023. “Honestly, when the teaser came out … I was so happy. I didn’t see any of the negativity.”
For years after the casting announcement, fans didn’t hear any news about the upcoming live-action film. In September 2022, Disney finally released the teaser trailer. Fans were ecstatic to get a first glimpse into the movie, especially because of the important representation that came with seeing a Black princess on the big screen. The teaser left audiences begging for more. And in March 2023, they finally got it when the first full length trailer was released.
Bailey tweeted the trailer on Sunday evening with the caption, “i’m crying and i’m late but i can’t believe we got to debut the full little mermaid trailer at the oscars.”
The trailer was also fans’ first glance at other celebrities starring in the film, including Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina, and Melissa McCarthy. McCarthy and Bailey announced the trailer together during the 2023 Academy Awards ceremony.
Bailey stayed very in-character for the Oscars, wearing a gorgeous aquamarine gown designed by Dolce & Gabbana. In a red carpet interview with actress Laverne Cox, Bailey gushed over her princess dress. “I’m loving it,” she said. She also praised Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the composers of the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
The Little Mermaid comes out on May 26, 2023, and fans can’t wait to see how Bailey takes the role of Ariel and makes it her own.