Summary:
- Disney Junior released the first teaser trailer for the new Ariel-inspired animated series, Disney Junior’s Ariel.
- The protagonist, Ariel, is designed based on Bailey’s performance in the live-action movie. However, the actress won’t return to voice the character.
- Ariel’s new animated design received heavy backlash from the Internet just like Bailey once did.
Halle Bailey, previously known for her musical talents, made a spectacular leap into acting with her portrayal of Ariel in the 2023 live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Singing the iconic “Part of Your World” from the 1989 original film, Bailey impressed not just the audience but also the filmmakers, including director Rob Marshall, securing her spot as the fresh face of Ariel.
Not only her voice, but Bailey’s acting prowess also helps her earn praise from critics worldwide.
The 2023 live-action film was a box office success, earning $569.6 million worldwide out of a $240.2 million budget. And Disney, in the most Disney fashion, immediately rides on the fame of the movie to release another animated series, with Bailey’s Ariel taking center stage.
According to Billboard, Disney Branded Television revealed in June 2023 that a new animated series called Disney Junior’s Ariel is emerging to the surface, inspired by Bailey‘s portrayal of the eponymous character.
Set to enchant preschoolers, Disney Junior’s Ariel is set in the vibrant, Caribbean-inspired underwater kingdom of Atlantica. The series features a young Ariel embarking on undersea adventures with her friends. Alongside familiar characters like King Triton, Ursula, Sebastian, and Flounder, the show introduces new friends for Ariel, mer-children Lucia and Fernie, among other charming sea creatures.
The executive producer of the show, Lynne Southerland, known for her work on Mulan II and Happily Ever After, takes the helm of the animated series. You can check out the teaser trailer for the series below:
The show aims to capture the essence of Bailey’s live-action Ariel, featuring a young mermaid with flowing red locs and rich brown skin, although Bailey herself will not voice the character. Instead, Mykal-Michelle Harris will bring young Ariel to life, with Taye Diggs and Amber Riley voicing King Triton and Ursula, respectively.
However, not everyone is thrilled with the continuation of changing Ariel’s race for this series, mirroring the initial backlash Bailey faced during the filming of the live-action movie.
“I have a problem with it. Make a new character, I thought people had to be creative to make shows and movies not just make everyone black. I want original black characters,” said @Odi_JNR on X (formerly Twitter), stating how Disney should have made an original black mermaid instead of milking Ariel’s popularity and changing her race and appearance.
Despite the mixed reactions, Disney is excited to introduce this refreshed take on Ariel to a new generation. Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, shared his enthusiasm:
“For more than 30 years, the story of ‘The Little Mermaid’ has been beloved by audiences all over the world. It brings me so much joy to be able to introduce our new Disney Junior version of Ariel to preschoolers everywhere.”
The animated show is set to premiere in 2024.
