Diversity and transparency in mega corporations have become a talking point, especially in Hollywood. Whether it's AI models or the stars of big-budget flicks, there is a thirst for diverse talent that's not being quenched.
In comes this year's latest readaptation, The Little Mermaid, starring neo-soul singer Halle Bailey. In what's set to be her breakout role, Bailey is the first black actress to take on the role of Ariel, making her the second black princess in the Disney stable next to Dreamgirls's Anika Noni Rose, who made history in The Princess and the Frog.
Many have criticised live-action adaptations of animated films as lifeless money grabs that don't capture the magnificence of their predecessors. This has put Bailey, like many black stars, in the firing line of internet bullying for earning roles previously played by white people.
Ironically, the film takes a stance on tolerance and acceptance. The remake follows the same plot as the animated version based on Hans Christian Andersen's short story. A young mermaid, Ariel, grows increasingly curious about the world outside the ocean. During her many adventures, she falls in love with Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King), who is equally smitten. Other than navigating concerns from King Triton (Ariel's father, played by Javier Bardem) and Prince Eric's adoptive mother, Queen Selina (Noma Dumezweni), the pair must face sea witch Ursula (Melissa McCarthy in her first villainous role).
While Ariel and Eric have to navigate their respective families' prejudices, the audience has to deal with a sea of intolerant internet naysayers.
“They see past the prejudice,” director Rob Marshall says of the main characters, who are defiant in seeking their truths. “Heroes and heroines like that are wonderful because they inspire young children to see that. And even if they don't get the message, there's something about the characters that they can recognise in themselves.”
While Bailey might be in the eye of a “why is Ariel black?” storm, Marshall says race was not in mind during casting calls. Bailey auditioned for the role in 2018 when she was 18, setting the bar for the hundreds of young women who competed for it.
Producer and Marshall's partner John DeLuca noted it was one of Bailey's award show performances that struck them first, unaware of how monumental her casting would be.
“It was never about race,” he says excitedly. “We were smitten. We both had tears streaming down our faces.”
To capture Bailey's singing voice, composer of the original 1989 film Alan Menken returns, with Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights and Hamilton). Menken played a pivotal role in directing how the “reimagining” would sound.
A vital addition is the depth given to Eric's character with an original song created by the duo that captures the prince's feelings when falling in love with Ariel. Titled Her Voice, it perfectly embodies how Menken and Miranda worked on their original material. All the new songs were composed by Menken, with the lyrics the handiwork of Miranda.
Her Voice was the quickest song to work on, but Menken was challenged because Miranda wanted a score that would continue to drive the story. This led him to include more contemporary Caribbean sounds. They're especially evident in Scuttlebutt, a new number rapped by Scuttle (Awkwafina).
“I actually gave Lin a lilting Caribbean tune and he came back with a rap over it which I hadn't anticipated. It was so incredible and fun,” says Menken.
“As a character who hadn't sung before, it allowed us to establish a new vocabulary for Scuttle. There was a scuttle number in the Broadway show, but it was a different entity with a different form.”
But, the delightful world Menken wrote for in the 1990s has changed dramatically in terms of scrutiny of musical numbers and scores.
He is quick to remember the controversial Arabian Nights from Aladdin, which featured lyrics like: “Where they cut off your ear if they don’t like your face.” This was quickly changed after a backlash. Menken notes that even then the cheekiness and fun they attempted to have with the song peddled stereotypes. Being sensitive to different audiences has become a necessity in his work, especially now that critique can seem overwhelming due to the world being more connected through the internet.
What has changed drastically since then is how superhero movies have come to dominate big-budget productions. But is there a place for musicals in an era dominated by Marvel or DC Comics?
“There is! I might be getting older, but there's a new generation that is coming up with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Bobby Lopez. These are two boys I knew of as kids and I feel a close relationship with them - they're carrying the torch. I feel there's a hunger for the escapism of musicals."
The Little Mermaid is currently on South African screens.
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