Halle Bailey to play Ariel in live-action ‘Little Mermaid’

NEW YORK — Halle Bailey, half of the sister duo Chloe x Halle, will next be going under the sea, starring as Ariel in the upcoming adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.”

The live-action version will include original songs from the 1989 animated hit as well as new tunes from original composer Alan Menken and “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Some of the tunes include “Under the Sea,” ‘’Part of Your World” and “Kiss the Girl.”

Bailey will join Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina in the film, about a mermaid who meets a prince and longs to be, like him, a human. Rob Marshall (“Mary Poppins Returns”) will direct.

Disney

Marshall says that Bailey “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.”

Production is scheduled to begin in early 2020.

Disney is on a roll with remakes of its animated classics using live actors and/or photorealistic CGI animation. A new “Lion King,” opening July 19, follows recent updates of “Cinderella,” “Pete’s Dragon,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Jungle Book,” “Dumbo” and “Aladdin.”