When Disney first announced they were doing a live-action version of The Little Mermaid, the internet basically imploded. It felt like everyone had a very loud opinion about everything from hair color to CGI fish. But now that the dust has settled and the movie has been out for a while, we can actually look at the little mermaid live action cast for what it was: a high-stakes gamble on talent over tradition.
Some of it worked beautifully. Some of it was, honestly, a bit weird.
If you’re looking for the full rundown of who played who, or you're wondering why that crab looked so... realistic... you’re in the right place. We aren't just listing names; we’re looking at how these actors actually handled the massive pressure of filling shoes (or fins) from a 1989 classic.
The Little Mermaid Live Action Cast: Breaking Down the Big Hits
Let’s talk about the elephant—or rather, the mermaid—in the room. Halle Bailey.
When Rob Marshall cast her, he wasn't looking for a lookalike. He wanted the voice. If you've heard her sing "Part of Your World," you know why. It's soul-crushing in the best way. She brought this wide-eyed, slightly rebellious energy to Ariel that felt more modern than the original. She wasn't just a girl looking for a guy; she was a girl who felt like she was born in the wrong world.
Halle Bailey as Ariel
Halle was already one-half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle, so the singing was never the question. The question was the acting. Ariel is a tough gig because she spends half the movie literally unable to speak. Bailey had to do all the heavy lifting with her eyes and face.
The backlash was loud, sure. But once the movie hit theaters, most of that noise was drowned out by the box office numbers—over $560 million worldwide. It turns out, audiences actually like seeing a powerhouse performer do her thing, regardless of what some corners of Twitter say.
Melissa McCarthy as Ursula
McCarthy as Ursula was a "love it or hate it" situation for a lot of fans.
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Ursula is arguably the best Disney villain ever, so those are huge tentacles to fill. McCarthy has openly admitted she channeled her own history with drag performance for this role. She treated Ursula like a "damaged" woman who’d had one too many martinis alone in her cave.
She worked with a vocal coach to get that signature raspy, theatrical belt for "Poor Unfortunate Souls." Was she as scary as the original? Maybe not. But she brought a campy, desperate energy that made the character feel human. Sorta.
Why the Supporting Cast Mattered So Much
A movie like this lives or dies by its sidekicks. This is where things got a little controversial, mostly because of the CGI.
Daveed Diggs (Sebastian): The Hamilton star didn't try to mimic the original Samuel E. Wright. He did his own thing. His version of "Under the Sea" was less of a Broadway showstopper and more of a Caribbean-infused jam.
Jacob Tremblay (Flounder): Poor Flounder. The internet was not kind to the "realistic" fish design. Jacob Tremblay is a fantastic actor (Room, anyone?), but even his talent couldn't quite make people comfortable with a fish that looked like it belonged on a dinner plate rather than a bedroom poster.
Awkwafina (Scuttle): They swapped Scuttle’s gender for this one, and honestly, it worked for the comedy. The "The Scuttlebutt" rap? Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, it's the kind of song that gets stuck in your head for three days against your will.
The Men on Land and Sea
Javier Bardem played King Triton, and he decided to go for a "grumpy dad who is actually just terrified" vibe.
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Bardem actually reached out to the director himself, asking if there was room for a King Triton with a Spanish accent. He brought a weight to the role that made the ending actually feel emotional. Fun fact: he didn't go shirtless. He wore a chest plate because, well, he's a king. He doesn't need to show off.
Then there’s Prince Eric, played by Jonah Hauer-King.
In the 1989 version, Eric was basically a cardboard cutout of a handsome guy. In the little mermaid live action cast, Hauer-King actually gives Eric a personality. He’s a collector. He’s an explorer. He’s basically the human version of Ariel, which makes their romance feel a lot more earned. They actually have stuff to talk about—well, once she can talk again.
The New Faces
The movie added characters we didn't see in the cartoon:
- Noma Dumezweni as Queen Selina: She plays Eric’s mother. This was a smart move because it gave Eric a backstory. He’s adopted, he feels like an outsider in his own kingdom—sound familiar? It mirrors Ariel’s journey.
- Art Malik as Sir Grimsby: The loyal advisor. Malik played him with a lot more warmth than the original bumbling version.
- Jessica Alexander as Vanessa: Ursula's human disguise. She didn't have much screen time, but man, she made an impression. She nailed the "villain pretending to be a princess" look.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Casting
There’s this idea that Disney just picks names out of a hat based on who is famous. That’s not really how it went here.
For example, Jonah Hauer-King didn't get the role just because he looks like a prince. He had to do multiple screen tests with Halle Bailey to prove they had chemistry. If they didn't click, the whole movie would have felt like a hollow corporate product.
And the sisters! In the original, they were just there for a song. In the 2023 version, they represented the seven seas. You had Simone Ashley (from Bridgerton) as Indira and Nathalie Sorrell as Caspia. They didn't get enough screen time, but they added to the global feel of the film.
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Verdict: Did the Cast Save the Remake?
Look, Disney remakes are always going to be divisive. You’re fighting against people’s childhood memories, and that’s a battle you usually lose.
But the little mermaid live action cast succeeded because they didn't just do a karaoke version of the original. Halle Bailey redefined what a Disney princess looks and sounds like for a whole new generation. Melissa McCarthy brought drag-queen energy to the bottom of the ocean. Even the CGI crab, as weird as he looked, had heart.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning a rewatch or checking it out for the first time, keep an eye out for these details:
- Listen for the nuance in "Part of Your World": Bailey adds riffs and vocal runs that aren't in the original. It's a masterclass in vocal control.
- Watch Eric and Ariel’s "tour" of the island: Their chemistry is built through silence. Notice how they use objects to communicate.
- Check the credits for the sisters: It's a "who's who" of rising international talent that you'll likely see in huge roles over the next few years.
The movie isn't perfect—the lighting is a bit dark in some scenes and the runtime is a bit long—but the cast is the reason it works at all. They took a 2D world and made it feel like somewhere you might actually want to visit. Just maybe don't look too closely at Flounder if you're easily spooked by realistic fish eyes.
Next time you’re debating the best Disney live-action movie, look at the performances. Most of these actors weren't just taking a paycheck; they were trying to honor something they grew up loving, too. That’s why, despite all the internet drama, the movie still resonates.
Next Steps:
To get the most out of the experience, try listening to the original 1989 soundtrack side-by-side with the 2023 version. You'll notice how Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken tweaked the lyrics to fit the new actors' strengths, especially for Daveed Diggs and Awkwafina.