The full trailer for “The Little Mermaid” finally aired and premiered during the 95th Academy Awards, where the film’s stars Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy performed at the ceremony on Sunday.
Following a sneak peek in September at its D23 Expo, Disney revealed its most detailed look yet of the R&B singer and “Spy” star as live-action versions of its iconic princess Ariel and the wicked sea witch Ursula, respectively. The new film, set to open on May 26, is a remake of the Disney animated classic and, according to the new trailer, recreates (and hopefully updates) the plot of the 1989 film.
It begins with the terrifying storm that throws brave Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) overboard, setting in motion Ariel’s infatuation with the land-dwelling prince, much to the chagrin of her father, King Triton (Javier Bardem). . This while Bailey’s version of “Part of Your World” is on the rise.
“You can’t live in that world unless you become a human,” Ursula tells the enamored mermaid.
“Is that possible?” Ariel answers.
“It’s what I live for,” Ursula promises, as the two come to an agreement to trade the siren’s voice for human legs.
The trailer also recreates Atlantica, the colorful underwater world of seafarers, Ariel’s iconic hair change, and the romantic but troublesome “Kiss the Girl” boat scene.
Also among the star-studded cast of “Mermaid” are Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder and Awkwafina as Scuttle.
The new musical film is directed by Rob Marshall and features four new original songs written by Alan Menken, who won two Oscars for music from the original motion picture, and “Hamilton” writer Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Moana,” ” Charm” and “Mary Poppins Returns”).
Halle Bailey attends the 95th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater on Sunday.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Appearing on the Oscars red carpet ahead of Sunday’s ceremony, Bailey hinted at the trailer reveal by saying she was “here for a reason” during an interview with Laverne Cox on E!. She also told the host about the Disney princess-inspired gown she donned for the occasion: a sweet seafoam Dolce & Gabbana that immediately had people thinking “Under the Sea.”
“I was so excited to wear this beautiful fluffy dress to enter the world of fairy tales and give them a princess for a day. So I love it,” said the 22-year-old.
The Chloe x Halle singer, who makes up one half of the duo with her sister Chloe Bailey, has dealt gracefully with the racist backlash to her casting. On the red carpet, she also praised the creatives involved in the project.
“Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda are a wonderful duo, but I was so excited to sing the original songs that I loved so much,” she said. “And the new ones, I think people will just embrace them and really love them, and I hope they do, but I can’t wait for people to see a little sneak peek of something tonight.”
During their presentation at the ceremony on Sunday, Bailey and McCarthy called making the film “a complete joy” and “a dream come true.”