“The Little Mermaid” by Halle Bailey swam into theaters on May 26 and it has been dominating the box office ever since.
Despite the backlash surrounding disney after casting an African-American actress in the role disney princess, fans rallied around Bailey, showing their support. Due to the instant success, Disney has launched a new encounter at Disney Parks around the world with Arielleinspired by the live-action movie.
Now Disney has confirmed new tv show is also under construction.
New Disney Junior show in the works
On Tuesday, June 13, Disney Branded Television announced that it has a new animated series in the works starring Ariel, which will be based on Halle Bailey’s Ariel in the new live-action movie.
“Disney Junior’s Ariel Inspired by Halle Bailey’s Ariel” is aimed at preschoolers and will be based on the classic story of “The Little Mermaid.” The show will follow 8-year-old Ariel as she embarks on new adventures in Atlantica and beyond.
Fans can expect to see some familiar faces as King Triton, Ursula, Sebastian and Flounder have all been confirmed to make appearances. New characters will also debut as Disney has confirmed Ariel’s two new best friends, merchildren named Lucia and Fernie, will be involved.
Billboard reports that “’Disney Junior’s Ariel’ will also highlight the multicultural diversity of the Caribbean under the guidance of cultural consultant Dr. Patrice Saunders, professor of English and Hemispheric Caribbean Studies at the University of Miami. Berklee College of Music Ensemble Department Chair Sean Skeete will serve as the Caribbean music consultant for the series.
Disney’s Live-Action “The Little Mermaid”
Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid” hit theaters last weekend and stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Daveed Diggs in Sebastian and Jacob Tremblay in Flounder.
Despite the backlash surrounding Halle Bailey as Ariel, the Disney film topped the box office by grossing over $95 million on opening weekend. The film went on to gross $117.5 million in its first four days in theaters in the United States.
Ahead of her theatrical debut, the Ariel actress had a message for all her young fans who have never seen themselves as their favorite princesses.
“I hope they just know that they are worthy and that we deserve to be in these spaces,” Bailey told “Good Morning America” at the live-action world premiere of “The Little Mermaid”. “And I hope they will see
them and me on screen.
“I’m just grateful to be here,” she continued before naming other African-American actresses who have taken on the role of a Disney princess. “There were women before me like Brandy and Anika Rose who were the role model for me even to be here today, so I’m just enjoying this moment,” Bailey told the ABC show.
Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid” is in theaters now.