Earlier this year, Disney brought onHamiltoncreatorLin-Manuel Mirandato star inMary Poppins Returns, alongsideEmily Blunt. It seems the studio is doubling down with this actor-musician, bringing him aboard their remake ofThe Little Mermaid, where he will compose songs alongsideAlan Menken. It isn’t known if he will also act in this remake, but he is said to be involved in supervising the story and overseeing the writing of the script.
Deadlinereports thatLin-Manuel Mirandawill also produce thislive-actionremake withMarc Platt, who is currently prepping his long-awaited big screen adaptation of the Broadway sensationWicked. This news comes just a few months after a report surfaced that the studio wasn’t sure if they wanted to move forward with this new live-action project.
There is currently another live-action adaptation set at Universal Pictures, withChloe Moretzto star as Ariel. Up and coming directorRebecca Thomasis taking the helm, working from a script byRichard Curtis. There is also anotherLittle Mermaidproject that boasts a cast includingShirley MacLaine,Gina Gershon,William ForsytheandPoppy Drayton, from directorsChris BouchardandBlake J. Harris. While the latter project is in post-production, it isn’t known when filming will begin on the former.
This Disney version will feature new songs written byLin-Manuel MirandaandAlan Menkenand songs from the 1989animated classic.Lin-Manuel Mirandareportedly has a soft spot forThe Little Mermaid, even naming his son Sebastian after the beloved crab in the musical.Alan Menkenwon two of his eight Oscars forThe Little Mermaid, one for Best Original Song withHoward Ashmanand the other for Best Original Score.
This project marks just the latest in a string oflive action remakesfrom the studio, including recent movies such asAlice Through the Looking GlassandPete’s Dragon, and the upcomingBeauty and the Beast, hitting theaters March 17. Others in development includeCruellastarringEmma Stone,Tim Burton’sDumboand sequels toMary Poppins,Maleficentand the current hitThe Jungle Bookalso in the works. Disney is also working on a live action prequel toAladdin, aWinnie the Poohlive-action project, along withLasse Hallstrom’sThe Nutcracker and the Four RealmsandAva DuVernay’sA Wrinkle in Time.
