It’s a whole new world for Halle Bailey (of Chloe x Halle). The virtuous vocalist has signed on to portray Ariel, the youngest of King Triton’s seven daughters, in Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
Rob Marshall, the film’s director, respectively considered Bailey as the perfect star to play the role of the adventurous mermaid.
“After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role,” said Marshall in a press statement.
The role of Ariel is the Grown-ish starlet’s first lead role in a feature film. She previously starred alongside her sister Chloe in small roles in films such as 2006’s Last Holiday and 2012’s Let It Shine and Joyful Noise.
Bailey, who just released a music video for “Who Knew” as Chloe x Halle, called the opportunity a “dream come true” in a post on her joint Twitter account.
dream come true… 🧜🏽♀️🌊 pic.twitter.com/sndjYUS6wO
— chloe x halle (@chloexhalle) July 3, 2019
The live-action remake will include the original score from the 1989 animated film that was curated by Alan Menken. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who worked on Mary Poppins Returns last year with Marshall, will collaborate with Menken on new songs.
Production for the reimagined version of The Little Mermaid is set to begin in early 2020.
