The Little Mermaid live action release date, cast and everything else you need to know

A new live action movie adaption of The Little Mermaid is on its way – here’s all you need to know.

A big screen version of the original 1989 Disney animation is coming to cinemas.

Based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, it tells the story of mermaid Princess named Ariel who dreams of becoming human. She makes a deal with a sea witch called Ursula after falling for a prince named Eric and rescuing him in a storm.

The Little Mermaid live action cast

In the lead role of Ariel, originally voiced by Jodi Benson, will be singer Halle Bailey, best known for her work as part of duo Chloe x Halle.

Jonah Hauer-King is to play Prince Eric with Jacob Tremblay as Flounder and Awkwafina as seagull Scuttle.

Javier Bardem will play King Triton, Daveed Diggs will voice Sebastian and Melissa McCarthy is to play sea witch Ursula.

Jude Akuwudike plays Grimsby, Noma Dumezweni plays Carlotta, Lorena Andrea plays Perla and Kajsa Mohammar plays Karina. They’re joined by Jessica Alexander, Russell Balogh, Adrian Christopher, Jeffin Kunjumon and Emily Coates.

Rob Marshall is directing the film with a screenplay by Jane Goldman and David Magee.

The new feature film will include the original songs from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, plus new music from Menken and Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The Little Mermaid release date

The Little Mermaid’s live action release date is currently scheduled for 26 May 2023 so there’s still a while to wait.

Filming completed in 2021.

Composer Alan Menken recently shared what we can expect from the reimagined film.

He revealed: “There is some rapping in it and I really can’t take much credit for the rap aspect of it. Yeah, there’s some rapping in it, there’s some very Menken songs, there’s some very Miranda songs. But it’s all the blend of Menken-Miranda.

“I love him, I love working with him. I’m glad we had the opportunity to do that and he’s also a producer on the movie but Lin juggles a lot of things, as I do, so we will have occasional contact. Right now it’s in the hands of the amazing Rob Marshall and as we speak they are in London right now filming.”