The Little Mermaid (Live-Action)

[Disney's Divinity]

So Terry Crews just posted a picture on Twitter of himself as Triton claiming he’s Ariel’s dad. Can’t tell if it’s a joke or confirmation. I hadn’t thought of him but i’m actually all for it.

Hm. I don't think Terry Crews would be able to pull off the angry, hateful side of Triton very well. I hope it's not him.

[Sotiris]

Disney instead of releasing a statement to the press addressing the controversy, they had Freeform's social media accounts post a somewhat odd message addressed to "the poor, unfortunate souls". Freeform is the home of Halle Bailey's Grown-ish TV show.

https://twitter.com/FreeformTV/status/1 ... 7732106240

[Disney's Divinity]

I read some random person's tweet earlier (the name was Adam Rallo) about how they think this whole NotMyAriel hashtag is just a gimmick worked up by Disney themselves to help sell the idea of an Ariel that's missing her iconic hair. Now I'm starting to believe it.

EDIT: OMG, the first response to that Freeform tweet was this:

Will princess tiana be white? My mom's from Louisiana and she is white, it's just about a girl on her way following her dream of opening a restaurant and kissing a frog who turns into a prince. # Fair is fair

lollol

But it being the opening response again makes me side with the idea that this is something put together by Disney themselves.

I did like whoever-KimberlyA-is's tweets. Who knew there might actually be some sense among all the extreme reactions, on the hellverse that is Twitter of all places.

[Sotiris]

Disney didn't need a controversy to sell TLM. It's not Dumbo; it's a really popular, beloved property. They never planned to alienate part of their audience. Someone from the the filmmaking team, most likely a producer, pushed an agenda and Disney indulged them. They underestimated the amount of blowback this would get. Now, they have no other choice but double down and defend the casting decision. It's not like they can reverse it. They would be crucified in the press if they did and be acussed of catering and giving in to "racists".

[Disney's Divinity]

The only bad thing is this might end up putting the film into the same political crosshairs the Ghostbusters remake ended up in. Even though I'm not happy about the decision at all, I wouldn't want Bailey to be doxxed like Leslie Jones was just for accepting a job that was offered to her. That was such a horrible thing that happened to Jones. Disney and the people in charge of the remake are the only ones worth being angry at. Coincidentally Melissa McCarthy was in that film, too. (Although I know she hasn't been confirmed yet.)

[Sotiris]

I don't think that's going to happen. Ghostbusters has a fanbase consisting primarily of straight, white, men (and we know how toxic and aggressive they can be) while The Little Mermaid's fanbase is mostly women and gay men. If you examine the comments criticizing the decision of a Black Ariel you won't find death or rape threats which was very common when the Ghostbusters backlash erupted. What people are perceiving as a racist response to the casting decision in this case is merely the reaction of hardcore fans who wanted the live-action Ariel resemble her animated counterpart as much as possible because they want a remake that's very faithful to the original.

If the film underpeforms, which I hope is not the case, Disney and the industry will not blame the race-bend casting but they will put the blame on musicals, remake fatigue, and the fans. They're not going to admit the truth.

[JeanGreyForever]

If the film underpeforms, which I hope is not the case, Disney and the industry will not blame the race-bend casting but they will put the blame on musicals, remake fatigue, and the fans. They're not going to admit the truth.

They won't admit it publicly but when films like BATB and Aladdin (and probably TLK) do amazingly well at the box office for sticking as close to their 90s film counterparts as possible, then it'll be clear that the musical format wasn't the reason why TLM flopped (and this is assuming the hypothetical scenario that it does or at least underperforms). It will make Disney far more reluctant to do this type of casting for future films then, regardless of whether they confirm it or not publicly.

[JeanGreyForever]

I read some random person's tweet earlier (the name was Adam Rallo) about how they think this whole NotMyAriel hashtag is just a gimmick worked up by Disney themselves to help sell the idea of an Ariel that's missing her iconic hair. Now I'm starting to believe it.

EDIT: OMG, the first response to that Freeform tweet was this:

Will princess tiana be white? My mom's from Louisiana and she is white, it's just about a girl on her way following her dream of opening a restaurant and kissing a frog who turns into a prince. # Fair is fair

lollol

But it being the opening response again makes me side with the idea that this is something put together by Disney themselves.

I did like whoever-KimberlyA-is's tweets. Who knew there might actually be some sense among all the extreme reactions, on the hellverse that is Twitter of all places.

I love how all your posts here are either openly dissing on people of color or subtly suggesting that they are not up to the role. My favorite is when you create ludicrous conspiracy theories on how Disney wanted this backlash to occur. It does not shock me that you would agree with some of the most hateful tweets and comments so far either. You think posting those heinous comments and how you agree with them will make your opinions validated but it just exposes your true self to the rest of us here.

Other companies are to blame for this too. Sure Disney may ask Twtter to remove a hashtag or Rotten Tomatoes to remove negative user reviews but they don't have to oblige. The fact that they do is very telling.

True. But I'm sure Twitter realizes Disney could rebuke them in other, indirect ways and don't want to make an enemy of them. At least you saved the picture as evidence.

To be fair, I'm willing to bet there are Russian bots egging on the hashtag, too, in part because encouraging a sizable amount of people to condescendingly diminish any criticism of this decision down to "evil racists" helps to incite more division and anger.

Really, Russian bots? You're going to resort to that? You bringing up Russian bots for the live-action remake of an animated movie totally invalidates actual scenarios when Russian bots have been used, you know, like in delegitimizing a political regime by tampering with an election. Cause of course Putin has nothing better to do then care about the skin color of a fictional mermaid. Honestly, people like you are what gives liberals and the Democratic party such a bad name when you resort to tripe like this.

Hm. I don't think Terry Crews would be able to pull off the angry, hateful side of Triton very well. I hope it's not him.

Interesting how you always seem to have an excuse to put down a person of color for a role. Even when you do suggest a candidate who is a POC you seem to muck it up though...

Maybe Donald Glover? (Not the one in TLK.) He definitely could pull off the darker part of Triton's personality as well as pull your heartstrings at the end.

EDIT: Just realized I got his name wrong. Danny Glover.

Lol, now you're not even pretending to hide your racist belief that all black people look alike and are interchangeable to you. And really, "darker?" That's the word you want to use? Subliminal message much. Careful, your subconscious bias is showing and I mean really showing here.

I wouldn't be satisfied if anyone under 75 played Grimsby.

I don't expect Eric's advisor in this film to be anything like the character in the animated film, possibly not even called Grimsby. Somehow I doubt that the advisor character being much younger + McCarthy being nowhere near 60-70 like Ursula is + a Triton that's at least 30 years too young will be labeled "ageist" the way it deserves. For as much as Disney will pat themselves on the back for casting a black Ariel, what about the plight of older, female actors in Hollywood? They don't even get to play a crone / witch in fairy tales anymore, apparently. So much for all these faux wins for diversity.

Yes, because Ursula specifically mentions that she is 60-70 years old in the movie. Nice try there pretending you care about the "plight of older, female actors in Hollywood." Convenient that this suddenly comes to your attention after a young black girl is cast.

The only other one I've seen was trying to re-create the moment in the middle of POYW when she swims to the top with her hair flowing behind her and it was unsurprisingly hideous.

So at first you say you are glad about the casting decision, then you agree with NotMyAriel and say "Screw Disney" and call the film trash, and now you say the art of her as Ariel was not just hideous because of bad art, but because her as Ariel would be hideous anyway. I guess Disney brings justice that you think the live-action version of your favorite movie is trash already and so much has been revealed about you.

Exactly this.

[DisneyFan97]

I still don't see why so many people have problem Halle Bailey being cast as Ariel. I certainly don't.

I hope this movie is a huge success.

I expect it will look beautiful.

I hope Purto Rico and ASouth Afffrica have nice landsscaps to film so we get nice looking scenery

The sets and costums will likely be great and a expet the CGI to be good.

We know the ogrinal song are great and expet the new ones by Miranda to be good too.

I hope Ursula gets a secend song !

I hope becomes a hit !
It certainlyt seems more promsing than Mulan.
Also did you know Flotsam and Jetsam were voiced by a woman in the orginal despite being male ?

Strange

I think this movie will turn ut great.

I hope racists dosn't detroy it.

Ghostbuster got beaten to death by sexists. But that wasn't a very good movie any.

I hope this movie gives more screen time to Ursula !

i don't think it needs to incloud Chef Louis. He is pretty pointless.

As i said Les Poissons should be cut. it adds noting and i feel it is among Alan Menken's weakest work.

Tthe wrost disney song Howard Ashman wrote.

But i have not heard all the deleted songs d´from Aladdin.

[JeanGreyForever]

I still don't see why so many people have problem Halle Bailey being cast as Ariel. I certainly don't.

I hope this movie is a huge success.

I expect it will look beautiful.

I hope Purto Rico and ASouth Afffrica have nice landsscaps to film so we get nice looking scenery

The sets and costums will likely be great and a expet the CGI to be good.

We know the ogrinal song are great and expet the new ones by Miranda to be good too.

I hope Ursula gets a secend song !

I hope becomes a hit !
It certainlyt seems more promsing than Mulan.
Also did you know Flotsam and Jetsam were voiced by a woman in the orginal despite being male ?

Strange

I think this movie will turn ut great.

I hope racists dosn't detroy it.

Ghostbuster got beaten to death by sexists. But that wasn't a very good movie any.

I hope this movie gives more screen time to Ursula !

i don't think it needs to incloud Chef Louis. He is pretty pointless.

As i said Les Poissons should be cut. it adds noting and i feel it is among Alan Menken's weakest work.

Tthe wrost disney song Howard Ashman wrote.

But i have not heard all the deleted songs d´from Aladdin.

Don't worry about racists destroying this film. Apparently Russian bots will accomplish that all on their own.

[UmbrellaFish]

I don't think that's going to happen. Ghostbusters has a fanbase consisting primarily of straight, white, men (and we know how toxic and aggressive they can be) while The Little Mermaid's fanbase is mostly women and gay men. If you examine the comments criticizing the decision of a Black Ariel you won't find death or rape threats which was very common when the Ghostbusters backlash erupted. What people are perceiving as a racist response to the casting decision in this case is merely the reaction of hardcore fans who wanted the live-action Ariel resemble her animated counterpart as much as possible because they want a remake that's very faithful to the original.

This argument makes no sense. The response can’t be racist because women and gay men can’t be racist? What? Racism isn’t only threats of violence. Sometimes racism manifests in flimsy excuses, dogwhistles, and hashtags.

[thedisneyspirit]

Ghostbusters was doomed to failure from the start, even if it had been an all-guys reboot. The charm of the original relies on the chemistry between the four main leads/actors and that would never be replicated again.

https://www.inkstonenews.com/society/ch ... le/3017402

[Disney's Divinity]

It certainlyt seems more promsing than Mulan.

I can't say I agree with that, but:

Ghostbuster got beaten to death by sexists. But that wasn't a very good movie any.

You're right there. I thought it would be better than it turned out to be considering I liked nearly all of the cast.

This argument makes no sense. The response can’t be racist because women and gay men can’t be racist? What? Racism isn’t only threats of violence. Sometimes racism manifests in flimsy excuses, dogwhistles, and hashtags.

Yes, because saying that the only way the response can be seen is racist is "logical." You never cared if the character looked like herself before Halle Bailey was cast, so of course you don't care now. Big whoop.

Ghostbusters was doomed to failure from the start, even if it had been an all-guys reboot. The charm of the original relies on the chemistry between the four main leads/actors and that would never be replicated again.

https://www.inkstonenews.com/society/ch ... le/3017402

I'm not sure I believe it was doomed from the start, but I was never that big a fan of Ghostbusters (the original) anyway.

[Sotiris]

This argument makes no sense. The response can’t be racist because women and gay men can’t be racist? What? Racism isn’t only threats of violence. Sometimes racism manifests in flimsy excuses, dogwhistles, and hashtags.

That's not what I said. I was referring specifically to the possibility of Halle getting doxxed and receiving rape or death threats like Leslie Jones did because of Ghostbusters.

[UmbrellaFish]

This argument makes no sense. The response can’t be racist because women and gay men can’t be racist? What? Racism isn’t only threats of violence. Sometimes racism manifests in flimsy excuses, dogwhistles, and hashtags.

That's not what I said. I was referring specifically to the possibility of Halle getting doxxed and receiving rape or death threats like Leslie Jones did because of Ghostbusters.

You characterized the response as “hardcore fans who wanted the live-action Ariel resemble her animated counterpart as much as possible because they want a remake that's very faithful to the original” as if these are people who could tell you who the roles Jodi Benson, Glen Keane, or Howard Ashman played in the Ariel’s creation. They are not. Do you really not think some people who are “#NotMyAriel” are motivated by racist intentions? And thus could lead to the same kind of death threats and doxxing that Leslie Jones faced, God forbid. The racist reaction to Bailey’s casting has to remain a part of the discussion here and should not be swept under the rug.

[Sotiris]

Do you really not think some people who are “#NotMyAriel” are motivated by racist intentions?

Some sure. But not the majority based on the reactions I've seen and the reasons they've put forward. I just don't think it's fair to generalize and brand anyone who was disappointed or upset by the casting as racist.

And thus could lead to the same kind of death threats and doxxing that Leslie Jones faced, God forbid.

I doubt it could. Even if I concede that all of them are racists, there are degrees of racism and numerous ways it manifests itself. Violent acts stemming from racial hatred are not usually perpetuated by women or gay men, no matter how biased they might be. Comparing the vile that Leslie had to endure, the reactions here are pretty tame and civil.

[DisneyFan97]

I don't think Ursula need to be a certain age as long as she is significantly lder than Ariel and around same age as Triton. Because i want the ramke to make them siblings.

I'll be just as happy with Nicki Minaj as Ursula as i woukd be with judi Dench or Angela Lansbury.

Why has no one metioned Christine Baranski fo Ursula ?

she is funny , A great singer and has worked witg Rob Marshell before,

Baranski would be a great Urusla.

However to added som older people to the cast i think Grimsby should between his mid 70 and early 90s.

And since older actctress rarely get roles in big movies.

I think they should incloud Areil's Grandmother who was part of the orginal Dannish fariy tale.

It woulld be an amazing opportunity for a older black famle actress.

How many roles are there for black women iin Hollywood over 70 ? !

[Disney's Divinity]

Reading through some of the tweets using the hashtag, at least a third are blatant racists opposed to the casting, but not all the people complaining are racist, no. I hope nothing like that happens to Bailey. I don’t dislike Bailey even if I'm annoyed by the fact that Ariel isn’t going to have the hair she’s known for now, which is why I haven't said anything negative about her. I knew who she was before this casting because of her performance with her sister at the Grammy Awards earlier this year when they gave one of the best vocals of the night. The backlash would have been much greater if the person they’d cast wasn’t as talented as she is.

I think they should incloud Areil's Grandmother who was part of the orginal Dannish fariy tale.

I do, too. Even if it's only in some kind of flashback to Ariel's childhood.

How many roles are there for black women iin Hollywood over 70 ? !

Probably a very low number, unfortunately.

[DisneyFan97]

Rob Marshall is a really good director and Jan goldman is a great screenwriter i have faith in this at least more than Mulan and Lady and the Tramp. What the hell has Charlie Been done besides Lego Ninjago !

What makes him worth of handling a live action remake of lady and the tramp ?

And Andrew Bujalski has biscally written nothing of note ! What makes any one think he will write good script for Lady and The Tramp.

But Tessa Thompson as Lady is great casting and Kiersey Clemons as Darling is also a good choice and Janelle Monáe as Peg is genius. They should sell Lady and the Tramp on Monáe's voice work and songs !

But Litte mermaid has talant bhined it and
Cruella too.

Craig Gillespie is an artist and will make a Cuella movie thats's high quality and not cash grab.

Also the screenplay is by Oscar nomnie ! Tony McNamara

Any writer noniated for any oscat most have some talant and also Kelly Marcel who wrote Saving Mr Bank. But sadly also
Fifty Shades of Grey the movie equvilnet of the anti christ.

But she worked on a script bassed on complet trash byt he horrible E.L. James

So what could she do ?

I am not faimler with any work by Mulan Dircetor Niki Caro. But i know half of the Mulan writters wrote the new planet of the apes movies. and Jurassic World. But tjhat dosn't give much hope. Jurassic World. was good but not beacuse of the script and i think the ne apes movies are overrated as hell.

[Sotiris]

Jodi Benson has responded to the casting.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzmZo_2AR6i/