Halle Bailey is following up her turns in movie musicals The Little Mermaid and The Color Purple with another feature in the genre. She has signed on to join the cast of the Universal musical from Michel Gondry and superstar Pharrell Williams.
Bailey will join Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in the coming-of-age period feature.
The project, which will be directed by Gondry, is set in the summer of 1977 at Virginia Beach and is inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood. Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson (Tick, Tick…Boom!) are penning the screenplay.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through their I Am Other banner, along with Gil Netter via Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Ryan Jones and Christine Sun will oversee the project for the studio.
Bailey, repped by CAA, was last seen in Color Purple, which was released at the end...
Bailey will join Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in the coming-of-age period feature.
The project, which will be directed by Gondry, is set in the summer of 1977 at Virginia Beach and is inspired by Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood. Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4) and Steven Levenson (Tick, Tick…Boom!) are penning the screenplay.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through their I Am Other banner, along with Gil Netter via Gil Netter Productions. Universal’s Ryan Jones and Christine Sun will oversee the project for the studio.
Bailey, repped by CAA, was last seen in Color Purple, which was released at the end...
- 4/4/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Halle Bailey and her boyfriend, rapper DDG, are officially parents to a baby boy.
The Little Mermaid actress took to Instagram Saturday evening to reveal that the pair welcomed their first child, a son they named Halo.
Bailey shared a photo, which featured her holding her son’s tiny hand with a gold bracelet, inscribed with his name “Halo.” She wrote in the post’s caption, “Even though we’re a few days into the new year, the greatest thing that 2023 could have done for me, was bring me my son.. welcome to the world my halo the world is desperate to know you.”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Halle Bailey (@hallebailey)
DDG also shared the same photo on his Instagram, writing, “My biggest blessing by far son son.. never been so in love baby halo.”
The social media post came as a delightful surprise for fans,...
The Little Mermaid actress took to Instagram Saturday evening to reveal that the pair welcomed their first child, a son they named Halo.
Bailey shared a photo, which featured her holding her son’s tiny hand with a gold bracelet, inscribed with his name “Halo.” She wrote in the post’s caption, “Even though we’re a few days into the new year, the greatest thing that 2023 could have done for me, was bring me my son.. welcome to the world my halo the world is desperate to know you.”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Halle Bailey (@hallebailey)
DDG also shared the same photo on his Instagram, writing, “My biggest blessing by far son son.. never been so in love baby halo.”
The social media post came as a delightful surprise for fans,...
- 1/7/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney is raising select prices at its theme parks as it prepares to embark on a long-term expansion of its parks and resorts portfolio.
The media giant initiated the new rates today, a few weeks after CEO Bob Iger and Parks Experiences and Products chief Josh D’Amaro outlined plans for a $60 billion investment over the next 10 years. The execs made a detailed presentation to Wall Street analysts at an event in Orlando, Fl, articulating a strategy for reaching a large, untapped audience with a strategy centered on “stories, scale, and fans.”
Annual passes for Disney World in Orlando are rising almost 10% to $1,449. Parking at the theme park will also rise by $5 to $30 total, though it is free for hotel guests.
At Disneyland, the most expensive daily pass is rising almost 9% to $194, while the four tiers of Magic Key passes are increasing between 3.1% and 21.5% and Genie+ add-ons also. Parking for cars...
The media giant initiated the new rates today, a few weeks after CEO Bob Iger and Parks Experiences and Products chief Josh D’Amaro outlined plans for a $60 billion investment over the next 10 years. The execs made a detailed presentation to Wall Street analysts at an event in Orlando, Fl, articulating a strategy for reaching a large, untapped audience with a strategy centered on “stories, scale, and fans.”
Annual passes for Disney World in Orlando are rising almost 10% to $1,449. Parking at the theme park will also rise by $5 to $30 total, though it is free for hotel guests.
At Disneyland, the most expensive daily pass is rising almost 9% to $194, while the four tiers of Magic Key passes are increasing between 3.1% and 21.5% and Genie+ add-ons also. Parking for cars...
- 10/11/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
An edgy new voice within the world of French genre, Adrien Beau worked as a designer and scenographer for the likes of Dior, John Galliano and Agnes B before making his feature debut with the offbeat vampire movie “Vourdalak.”
Produced by Judith-Lou Levy at Les Films du Bal, “Vourdalak” will world premiere at Venice Critics’ Week and will likely be one of its boldest entries. At a time when horror has become a mainstream genre overloaded with special effects, “Vourdalak” couldn’t be more radical. Lensed in Super 16, the film’s central character is a vampire patriarch named Gorcha, played by a marionette that Beau operates and lends his voice to.
In an interview with Variety ahead of the festival, Beau says he got the idea for the film after he and Levy came across “La Famille du Vourdalak,” a strange vampire novella penned by Alexeï Konstantinovitch Tolstoï, published in...
Produced by Judith-Lou Levy at Les Films du Bal, “Vourdalak” will world premiere at Venice Critics’ Week and will likely be one of its boldest entries. At a time when horror has become a mainstream genre overloaded with special effects, “Vourdalak” couldn’t be more radical. Lensed in Super 16, the film’s central character is a vampire patriarch named Gorcha, played by a marionette that Beau operates and lends his voice to.
In an interview with Variety ahead of the festival, Beau says he got the idea for the film after he and Levy came across “La Famille du Vourdalak,” a strange vampire novella penned by Alexeï Konstantinovitch Tolstoï, published in...
- 7/28/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
This weekend sees the highly anticipated release of Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse. Early estimates for the film put Spider-Verse in the $80 million dollar range, but that was three weeks ago, and it appears those numbers may have been a bit off. When you consider something like The Super Mario Bros. Movie coming out and absolutely obliterating all expectations, and this being the first PG rated animated film to come along since then, I think a $100 million opening is the absolute minimum for what this film can do this weekend with $110 million being a bit closer to what I expect. That is actually a pretty bold prediction when you consider Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse opened up with just $35.3 million back in 2018. The thing with that one is: it had such great word of mouth that it totaled over $384 million worldwide and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Film.
- 6/1/2023
- by Brad Hamerly
- JoBlo.com
Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid” is making quite the splash at the domestic box office this weekend, with an opening day total of $38 million.
The fantasy, which is opening in 4,320 theaters, is expected to gross between $120 million and $130 million over the four-day Memorial Day weekend.
The musical remake, starring Halle Bailey as the mermaid princess Ariel, took in $10.3 million in previews on Thursday, ranking as the seventh-highest haul for a movie rated G or PG. That puts the film on track to gross well over $100 million over the holiday weekend. With a $250 million production budget, “The Little Mermaid” must bait box office success in order to make a reasonable return.
“Fast X,” the tenth installment in the “Fast and Furious” franchise, debuted last weekend to a cool $67 million Stateside. This weekend, it’s estimated to bring in about $28 million over the four-day holiday weekend, which clearly puts in second place after “The Little Mermaid.
The fantasy, which is opening in 4,320 theaters, is expected to gross between $120 million and $130 million over the four-day Memorial Day weekend.
The musical remake, starring Halle Bailey as the mermaid princess Ariel, took in $10.3 million in previews on Thursday, ranking as the seventh-highest haul for a movie rated G or PG. That puts the film on track to gross well over $100 million over the holiday weekend. With a $250 million production budget, “The Little Mermaid” must bait box office success in order to make a reasonable return.
“Fast X,” the tenth installment in the “Fast and Furious” franchise, debuted last weekend to a cool $67 million Stateside. This weekend, it’s estimated to bring in about $28 million over the four-day holiday weekend, which clearly puts in second place after “The Little Mermaid.
- 5/27/2023
- by Pat Saperstein and Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive, late Thursday Pm: Sources are telling us that Disney’s Rob Marshall directed The Little Mermaid is singing some high notes tonight of $10M+ in previews. Should that figure exceed $10.8M it will rep the 6th highest preview performance among PG and G rated titles in motion picture history. Tracking pegged the Halle Bailey movie at a $120M 4-day start over Memorial Day.
Remember, that preview cash is made up of Wednesday 6Pm fan screenings at 500 premium screen theaters and early shows which began at 3Pm today.
Even more impressive, Little Mermaid‘s preview figure bests that of Disney’s live action take of animated toon, Aladdin, from Memorial Day weekend 2019; that Will Smith pic doing $7M before grossing $31.3M on its first Friday for a $116.8M 4-day. Little Mermaid also easily beats the $2.3M previews (8Pm start) of 2015’s Cinderella, which had a $23M first day, $67.8M start.
Remember, that preview cash is made up of Wednesday 6Pm fan screenings at 500 premium screen theaters and early shows which began at 3Pm today.
Even more impressive, Little Mermaid‘s preview figure bests that of Disney’s live action take of animated toon, Aladdin, from Memorial Day weekend 2019; that Will Smith pic doing $7M before grossing $31.3M on its first Friday for a $116.8M 4-day. Little Mermaid also easily beats the $2.3M previews (8Pm start) of 2015’s Cinderella, which had a $23M first day, $67.8M start.
- 5/26/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
This weekend sees the latest release in Disney’s “let’s just remake all of our old films but with real people and make a billion dollars each time” line of films with the live action update to 1989’s Oscar winning The Little Mermaid. And if the tracking for this one is any indication, Disney will have another billion dollar grosser on its hands as The Little Mermaid is expected to open anywhere between $100-$120 million, with a range like that I always like to split the difference and call it at $110 million for the 3-day take while the 4-day Memorial Day haul will be closer to that $120 million. That opening will put it less than both The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast live action openings but above the $91.5 million opening of 2019’s Aladdin which went on to do $1.054 billion worldwide.
When the film was first announced it...
When the film was first announced it...
- 5/25/2023
- by Brad Hamerly
- JoBlo.com
Scarlett Johansson still has a lot of love for Disney, though.
This week, the “Asteroid City” star is on the new cover of Variety, and in the issue she opens up about the Disney’s response when she filed her lawsuit against the studio.
Read More: Scarlett Johansson Says Her ‘Ego Is Too Fragile’ To Be On Social Media
After she filed her suit in 2021, alleging that Disney’s move to release “Black Widow” on Disney+ on the same day it hit theatres during the pandemic cost her millions in backend payments.
“There is no merit whatsoever to this filing,” Disney responded at the time. “The lawsuit is especially sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Photo: Mary Ellen Matthews for Variety
The fiery response from the studio surprised many industry watchers, though the two parties eventually settled out of court.
This week, the “Asteroid City” star is on the new cover of Variety, and in the issue she opens up about the Disney’s response when she filed her lawsuit against the studio.
Read More: Scarlett Johansson Says Her ‘Ego Is Too Fragile’ To Be On Social Media
After she filed her suit in 2021, alleging that Disney’s move to release “Black Widow” on Disney+ on the same day it hit theatres during the pandemic cost her millions in backend payments.
“There is no merit whatsoever to this filing,” Disney responded at the time. “The lawsuit is especially sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Photo: Mary Ellen Matthews for Variety
The fiery response from the studio surprised many industry watchers, though the two parties eventually settled out of court.
- 5/9/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
Oscar-nominated actress, writer and producer Melissa McCarthy has been named as CinemaCon’s Cinema Vérité Award recipient for 2023.
The NATO convention’s awarding of the prize at its Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony, taking place at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas the night of April 27th, comes a little less than a month ahead of the release of Disney’s new live-action take on The Little Mermaid, from filmmaker Rob Marshall, which has McCarthy playing the sea witch, Ursula.
Others to be honored alongside the multi-hyphenate include Oppenheimer‘s Christopher Nolan & Emma Thomas, who will receive the NATO Spirit of the Industry Award; the cast of Lionsgate’s Joy Ride, which will accept the Comedy Ensemble of the Year Award; the Dune franchise’s Zendaya, who has been set for the Star of the Year Award; and the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts duo of Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback,...
The NATO convention’s awarding of the prize at its Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony, taking place at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas the night of April 27th, comes a little less than a month ahead of the release of Disney’s new live-action take on The Little Mermaid, from filmmaker Rob Marshall, which has McCarthy playing the sea witch, Ursula.
Others to be honored alongside the multi-hyphenate include Oppenheimer‘s Christopher Nolan & Emma Thomas, who will receive the NATO Spirit of the Industry Award; the cast of Lionsgate’s Joy Ride, which will accept the Comedy Ensemble of the Year Award; the Dune franchise’s Zendaya, who has been set for the Star of the Year Award; and the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts duo of Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback,...
- 4/11/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Jonah Hauer-King (“The Little Mermaid”) and Anna Próchniak (“Baptiste”) are set to headline the limited event series adapted from Heather Morris’s “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” for Sky and Peacock.
The Peacock Original series, which is produced by Synchronicity Films, will be entirely directed by Tali Shalom-Ezer, whose past credits include “Princess.” Claire Mundell and Jacquelin Perske are set to executive produce.
A global bestseller, “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” has sold more than 12 million copies around the world.
The cast of the series, whose title is also “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” will be completed by Critics Choice Awards winner Melanie Lynskey (“The Last of Us”) and Jonas Nay.
The six-part show tells the powerful true-life story of Lale Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner who is given the job of tattooing identification numbers on fellow prisoners’ arms in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War Two. One day, he meets Gita when...
The Peacock Original series, which is produced by Synchronicity Films, will be entirely directed by Tali Shalom-Ezer, whose past credits include “Princess.” Claire Mundell and Jacquelin Perske are set to executive produce.
A global bestseller, “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” has sold more than 12 million copies around the world.
The cast of the series, whose title is also “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” will be completed by Critics Choice Awards winner Melanie Lynskey (“The Last of Us”) and Jonas Nay.
The six-part show tells the powerful true-life story of Lale Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner who is given the job of tattooing identification numbers on fellow prisoners’ arms in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War Two. One day, he meets Gita when...
- 3/16/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Halle Bailey is the star of Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. A teaser for the film directed by Rob Marshall was released during the D23 Expo and the reactions have been outstanding.
Parents have recorded their kids reacting to the short clip of Bailey singing “Part of Your World.” The trend that went viral on TikTok features Black girls watching the video and being surprised when seeing Bailey’s skin tone.
“She’s brown like me,” one girl said.
The reactions have moved people on social media showcasing that representation matters. Many fans started tagging Bailey and she ended up retweeting one of the supercut reaction videos shared online.
“people have been sending these reactions to me all weekend and i’m in truly in awe. this means the world to me,” Bailey tweeted.
people have been sending these reactions to me all weekend and i’m...
Parents have recorded their kids reacting to the short clip of Bailey singing “Part of Your World.” The trend that went viral on TikTok features Black girls watching the video and being surprised when seeing Bailey’s skin tone.
“She’s brown like me,” one girl said.
The reactions have moved people on social media showcasing that representation matters. Many fans started tagging Bailey and she ended up retweeting one of the supercut reaction videos shared online.
“people have been sending these reactions to me all weekend and i’m in truly in awe. this means the world to me,” Bailey tweeted.
people have been sending these reactions to me all weekend and i’m...
- 9/15/2022
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Today at D23, Disney offered a first look at its live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey and directed by Rob Marshall, which is slated to hit theaters May 26. Watch the teaser above.
Bailey said today that it’s the first time she has seen footage of the film from Walt Disney Pictures.
Disney D23 Expo 2022 Photo Gallery: Marvel, Star Wars, and More
“I’m sure all of you in here can relate to Ariel and how special she is to all of us,” she said from the stage. “Being a little girl swimming in the pool, imagining I was a mermaid, I never imagined that would come to life [like this]. … The three days filming ‘Part of Your World’ was the most beautiful experience of my life — feeling all the feelings she feels, her passion, discomfort, everything she’s experiencing. It was so exciting for me to play those...
Bailey said today that it’s the first time she has seen footage of the film from Walt Disney Pictures.
Disney D23 Expo 2022 Photo Gallery: Marvel, Star Wars, and More
“I’m sure all of you in here can relate to Ariel and how special she is to all of us,” she said from the stage. “Being a little girl swimming in the pool, imagining I was a mermaid, I never imagined that would come to life [like this]. … The three days filming ‘Part of Your World’ was the most beautiful experience of my life — feeling all the feelings she feels, her passion, discomfort, everything she’s experiencing. It was so exciting for me to play those...
- 9/9/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
With Disney already deep into post-production on a live-action retread of “The Little Mermaid,” and currently filming a controversial “Snow White” remake starring “West Side Story” star Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, the Mouse House isn’t slowing down. It was announced yesterday that British director Guy Ritchie will helm an upcoming live-action redo of the 1997 Disney animated feature, “Hercules.”
Disney’s “Hercules” tells the story of the eponymous character (voiced in the original by Tate Donovan) and Greek god. Living among mortals, Hercules becomes determined to reclaim his god-like status, becoming a quasi-celebrity in the process. Along the way he falls in love with the acerbic Meg (voiced by Susan Egan) and must defeat Hades (voiced by James Woods), the God of the Underworld.
Ritchie has brought success to Disney with a live-action remake before. He directed the 2019 reboot of “Aladdin,” starring Will Smith. The feature would go on...
Disney’s “Hercules” tells the story of the eponymous character (voiced in the original by Tate Donovan) and Greek god. Living among mortals, Hercules becomes determined to reclaim his god-like status, becoming a quasi-celebrity in the process. Along the way he falls in love with the acerbic Meg (voiced by Susan Egan) and must defeat Hades (voiced by James Woods), the God of the Underworld.
Ritchie has brought success to Disney with a live-action remake before. He directed the 2019 reboot of “Aladdin,” starring Will Smith. The feature would go on...
- 6/18/2022
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid has scored a Memorial Day Weekend 2023 opening.
The movie was part of a slew of dates the studio staked out as it looks to plant flags for its movies into 2024, even while it keeps most of those titles secret. It made the announcement Friday.
Separately, Disney confirmed that the remainder of its 2021 movie slate will get the theatrical treatment, with its live-action movies, Eternals and West Side Story among them, slated for a 45-day window while animated movie Encanto gets a 30-day window.
Meanwhile, Guillermo del Toro’s dark thriller Nightmare Alley was originally set to have a ...
The movie was part of a slew of dates the studio staked out as it looks to plant flags for its movies into 2024, even while it keeps most of those titles secret. It made the announcement Friday.
Separately, Disney confirmed that the remainder of its 2021 movie slate will get the theatrical treatment, with its live-action movies, Eternals and West Side Story among them, slated for a 45-day window while animated movie Encanto gets a 30-day window.
Meanwhile, Guillermo del Toro’s dark thriller Nightmare Alley was originally set to have a ...
- 9/10/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Morning Watch is a recurring feature that highlights a handful of noteworthy videos from around the web. They could be video essays, fanmade productions, featurettes, short films, hilarious sketches, or just anything that has to do with our favorite movies and TV shows. In this edition, learn what it takes to be a reference […]
The post The Morning Watch: Reference Acting in Animation, ‘The Little Mermaid’ Storyboard Comparison & More appeared first on /Film.
The post The Morning Watch: Reference Acting in Animation, ‘The Little Mermaid’ Storyboard Comparison & More appeared first on /Film.
- 1/15/2021
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem are in talks to play Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in an upcoming film directed by Aaron Sorkin.
If the deal is sealed, Kidman and Bardem will be seen as television titans Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the creatives and stars behind series "I Love Lucy", reports hollywoodreporter.com.
Titled "Being The Ricardos", the film will take place during a production week on the set of "I Love Lucy". The couple will face challenges that could end their careers and their marriage.
Sorkin wrote the film, which is being backed by Amazon Studios.
It is not clear when the production will start as the Covid-19 pandemic has shut down most projects filming in the US.
On the work front, Kidman was most recently seen in drama series "The Undoing" alongside Hugh Grant. She also featured in Ryan Murphy's musical "The Prom". She...
If the deal is sealed, Kidman and Bardem will be seen as television titans Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the creatives and stars behind series "I Love Lucy", reports hollywoodreporter.com.
Titled "Being The Ricardos", the film will take place during a production week on the set of "I Love Lucy". The couple will face challenges that could end their careers and their marriage.
Sorkin wrote the film, which is being backed by Amazon Studios.
It is not clear when the production will start as the Covid-19 pandemic has shut down most projects filming in the US.
On the work front, Kidman was most recently seen in drama series "The Undoing" alongside Hugh Grant. She also featured in Ryan Murphy's musical "The Prom". She...
- 1/12/2021
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem are in negotiations to play the iconic Hollywood couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, respectively, in the upcoming film “Being the Ricardos,” directed by Aaron Sorkin.
The movie will take place during a production week on the set of “I Love Lucy,” starting with a Monday table read through an audience shoot on Friday. Ball and Arnaz will face challenges that could end their careers and their marriage.
Sorkin has written the screenplay and will direct the film for Amazon Studios and Escape Artists. Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch of Escape Artists will produce. Escape Artists’ Jenna Block and David Bloomfield will serve as executive producers, alongside Stuart Besser, Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr., and Lauren Lohman.
A production start date isn’t clear as the Covid-19 pandemic has shut down most projects filming in the U.S.
Kidman most recently starred in...
The movie will take place during a production week on the set of “I Love Lucy,” starting with a Monday table read through an audience shoot on Friday. Ball and Arnaz will face challenges that could end their careers and their marriage.
Sorkin has written the screenplay and will direct the film for Amazon Studios and Escape Artists. Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch of Escape Artists will produce. Escape Artists’ Jenna Block and David Bloomfield will serve as executive producers, alongside Stuart Besser, Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr., and Lauren Lohman.
A production start date isn’t clear as the Covid-19 pandemic has shut down most projects filming in the U.S.
Kidman most recently starred in...
- 1/11/2021
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem are set to star as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in a new film being set up at Amazon Studios, “Being the Ricardos,” from director Aaron Sorkin. The Academy Award-winning scribe also wrote the film. The news was first reported by Deadline. An Amazon rep confirmed the project to IndieWire, though deals for the actors are still closing.
Sorkin was reportedly originally only going to write the film, but decided to stay on to direct after his experience helming “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” a major Oscar contender this year at rival streaming giant Netflix. Originally, Cate Blanchett was circling the script to play the leading role of Lucille Ball, according to reports, but has now been replaced by Kidman. Fellow Aussie actress Blanchett was in talks to take on the role as early as 2017, when it was first bought by Amazon.
“Being the Ricardos...
Sorkin was reportedly originally only going to write the film, but decided to stay on to direct after his experience helming “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” a major Oscar contender this year at rival streaming giant Netflix. Originally, Cate Blanchett was circling the script to play the leading role of Lucille Ball, according to reports, but has now been replaced by Kidman. Fellow Aussie actress Blanchett was in talks to take on the role as early as 2017, when it was first bought by Amazon.
“Being the Ricardos...
- 1/11/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem are in negotiations to play Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in Amazon and Aaron Sorkin’s Being the Ricardos, the film about the relationship between the I Love Lucy stars. Having penned the screenplay, Academy Award winner Sorkin also will direct the film from Amazon Studios and Escape Artists.
The film is set during one production week of I Love Lucy — Monday table read through Friday audience filmin g— when Lucy and Desi face a crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage.
Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch will produce. Executive producers are Jenna Block, David Bloomfield of Escape Artists, Stuart Besser, Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz, Jr. and Lauren Lohman.
Sorkin originally was going to pen the script only, when Cate Blanchett was circling, but after enjoying himself on the drama The Trial of the Chicago 7,...
The film is set during one production week of I Love Lucy — Monday table read through Friday audience filmin g— when Lucy and Desi face a crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage.
Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch will produce. Executive producers are Jenna Block, David Bloomfield of Escape Artists, Stuart Besser, Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz, Jr. and Lauren Lohman.
Sorkin originally was going to pen the script only, when Cate Blanchett was circling, but after enjoying himself on the drama The Trial of the Chicago 7,...
- 1/11/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
The live-action The Little Mermaid remake cast continues to grow. The latest: Noma Dumezweni, who delivered a memorable performance in the mostly forgettable The Undoing, is diving into the Disney flick. As to which character Dumezweni might be playing, well, that’s mostly a mystery. All we know for now is that it’s a new character created specifically for the […]
The post ‘The Little Mermaid’ Remake Cast Adds Noma Dumezweni as a New Character appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘The Little Mermaid’ Remake Cast Adds Noma Dumezweni as a New Character appeared first on /Film.
- 1/6/2021
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Noma Dumezweni, who broke out playing Hugh Grant’s defense lawyer in HBO’s “The Undoing,” has joined the cast of Disney’s live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.”
Actress and singer Halle Bailey will star as Ariel. Melissa McCarthy is playing evil aunt Ursula and Javier Bardem is set to play King Triton. British actor Jonah Hauer-King is set to play Prince Eric.
Rob Marshall is directing, and the film is produced by John DeLuca, Marc Platt and Lin-Manuel Miranda. David Magee (“Mary Poppins Returns”) wrote the script.
Dumezweni’s ‘Mermaid’ role was not disclosed, but according to Deadline the part was created for her.
“The Little Mermaid” will feature the 1989 animated classic’s original songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as new songs with music by Menken and lyrics by Miranda. Jessica Virtue and Allison Erlikhman are overseeing for Disney.
The original “The Little Mermaid” follows Ariel,...
Actress and singer Halle Bailey will star as Ariel. Melissa McCarthy is playing evil aunt Ursula and Javier Bardem is set to play King Triton. British actor Jonah Hauer-King is set to play Prince Eric.
Rob Marshall is directing, and the film is produced by John DeLuca, Marc Platt and Lin-Manuel Miranda. David Magee (“Mary Poppins Returns”) wrote the script.
Dumezweni’s ‘Mermaid’ role was not disclosed, but according to Deadline the part was created for her.
“The Little Mermaid” will feature the 1989 animated classic’s original songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as new songs with music by Menken and lyrics by Miranda. Jessica Virtue and Allison Erlikhman are overseeing for Disney.
The original “The Little Mermaid” follows Ariel,...
- 1/5/2021
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
It's been announced that The Undoing's Noma Dumezweni is going under the sea for Disney's live-action version of The Little Mermaid. The Little Mermaid will be directed by Rob Marshall from a script penned by David Magee. Halle Bailey will star in the role of Ariel, a mermaid princess who makes a Faustian bargain with the evil sea witch…...
- 1/5/2021
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: After her scene-stealing role as Hugh Grant’s lawyer in HBO’s hit series The Undoing, Noma Dumezweni is set to head under the sea, joining the cast Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
Halle Bailey will portray Ariel, a mermaid princess who dreams of being a human, while Melissa McCarthy is playing her evil aunt Ursula. Javier Bardem is on board to play King Triton.
The Little Mermaid will be directed by Rob Marshall and is written by David Magee. The upcoming film will incorporate original songs from the 1989 animated classic, as well as new tunes from original composer Alan Menken with lyrics by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda is also producing along with Marshall, Marc Platt and John DeLuca. Jessica Virtue and Allison Erlikhman are overseeing for the studio.
It is unknown who Dumezweni will be playing other then it will be a brand new...
Halle Bailey will portray Ariel, a mermaid princess who dreams of being a human, while Melissa McCarthy is playing her evil aunt Ursula. Javier Bardem is on board to play King Triton.
The Little Mermaid will be directed by Rob Marshall and is written by David Magee. The upcoming film will incorporate original songs from the 1989 animated classic, as well as new tunes from original composer Alan Menken with lyrics by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda is also producing along with Marshall, Marc Platt and John DeLuca. Jessica Virtue and Allison Erlikhman are overseeing for the studio.
It is unknown who Dumezweni will be playing other then it will be a brand new...
- 1/5/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Tuck Tucker, a prolific writer, artist, songwriter and animator best known for his long tenure with Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Hey Arnold!” died on Dec. 22 from undisclosed causes. His family announced the news on Facebook.
“It is with a heavy and broken heart that the Tucker family announces the death of Tuck Tucker, father, husband, son, brother, and uncle. We know he was loved by all of those whom he met,” the family’s statement said. “In lieu of visitations, if you have memories of Tuck you would like to share on his timeline, the family would greatly appreciate reading them. An obituary will be forthcoming, however, please help us inform all who knew him by sharing this post.”
Born William Osborne “Tuck” Tucker III and originally from Lynchburg, Virginia, Tucker began his career in the late 1980s, with his early credits including work on “BraveStarr: The Movie” and Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.
“It is with a heavy and broken heart that the Tucker family announces the death of Tuck Tucker, father, husband, son, brother, and uncle. We know he was loved by all of those whom he met,” the family’s statement said. “In lieu of visitations, if you have memories of Tuck you would like to share on his timeline, the family would greatly appreciate reading them. An obituary will be forthcoming, however, please help us inform all who knew him by sharing this post.”
Born William Osborne “Tuck” Tucker III and originally from Lynchburg, Virginia, Tucker began his career in the late 1980s, with his early credits including work on “BraveStarr: The Movie” and Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.
- 12/28/2020
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Veteran animator Tuck Tucker, who worked on popular series such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Hey Arnold!, died on December 22. He Was 59.
Tucker’s family posted the news of Tucker’s passing on Facebook. “It is with a heavy and broken heart that the Tucker family announces the death of Tuck Tucker, father, husband, son, brother, and uncle,” wrote Bailey Tucker on Facebook. “We know he was loved by all of those whom he met. In lieu of visitations, if you have memories of Tuck you would like to share on his timeline, the family would greatly appreciate reading them.”
Tucker was born William Osborne Tucker III on August 20, 1961. He worked on the 1987 film Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night before boarding on some of the most iconic titles in animation including the 1989 Diseny feature The Little Mermaid.
In the TV space, he worked on Nickelodeon’s Rugrats as well as The Simpsons.
Tucker’s family posted the news of Tucker’s passing on Facebook. “It is with a heavy and broken heart that the Tucker family announces the death of Tuck Tucker, father, husband, son, brother, and uncle,” wrote Bailey Tucker on Facebook. “We know he was loved by all of those whom he met. In lieu of visitations, if you have memories of Tuck you would like to share on his timeline, the family would greatly appreciate reading them.”
Tucker was born William Osborne Tucker III on August 20, 1961. He worked on the 1987 film Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night before boarding on some of the most iconic titles in animation including the 1989 Diseny feature The Little Mermaid.
In the TV space, he worked on Nickelodeon’s Rugrats as well as The Simpsons.
- 12/27/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Tuck Tucker, a veteran animator and storyboard director known for his work on “Hey Arnold!” and “SpongeBob SquarePants,” died on Dec. 22. He was 59.
Tucker’s family announced his death on Facebook, writing: “It is with a heavy and broken heart that the Tucker family announces the death of Tuck Tucker, father, husband, son, brother, and uncle. We know he was loved by all of those whom he met.” No cause of death was given.
Born William Osborne Tucker III on Aug. 20, 1961, Tucker’s passion for animation began at a young age through watching cartoons with his father. Tucker eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in animation, and got his first job as a breakdown artist on the 1987 film “Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night.” He also worked on “The Little Mermaid” in 1989, the television series “Rugrats” and over a dozen episodes of “The Simpsons” in 1996 as a character layout artist.
Tucker’s family announced his death on Facebook, writing: “It is with a heavy and broken heart that the Tucker family announces the death of Tuck Tucker, father, husband, son, brother, and uncle. We know he was loved by all of those whom he met.” No cause of death was given.
Born William Osborne Tucker III on Aug. 20, 1961, Tucker’s passion for animation began at a young age through watching cartoons with his father. Tucker eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in animation, and got his first job as a breakdown artist on the 1987 film “Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night.” He also worked on “The Little Mermaid” in 1989, the television series “Rugrats” and over a dozen episodes of “The Simpsons” in 1996 as a character layout artist.
- 12/27/2020
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Thanks to their time as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Joe and Anthony Russo comfortably rank among the most successful filmmakers in the history of the industry. As well as being the directors of the highest-grossing movie ever made, and the only names other than James Cameron to have helmed two films that earned over $2 billion globally, in terms of total combined earnings, only the back catalogue of Steven Spielberg has made more money at the box office.
You’d think that would give them the impetus to take it easy for a while, but the Russos are busier than they’ve ever been. Tom Holland thriller Cherry is in the can and awaiting release, the cast of Netflix’s $200 million espionage blockbuster The Gray Man is starting to fill out and the siblings have just signed on to direct graphic novel adaptation The Electric State with Millie Bobby Brown set to star.
You’d think that would give them the impetus to take it easy for a while, but the Russos are busier than they’ve ever been. Tom Holland thriller Cherry is in the can and awaiting release, the cast of Netflix’s $200 million espionage blockbuster The Gray Man is starting to fill out and the siblings have just signed on to direct graphic novel adaptation The Electric State with Millie Bobby Brown set to star.
- 12/21/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
Great animators are also actors, comedians, and scientists. They study the way animals move, the flow of long grass, the grace of scudding clouds, the expressions humans make when they are frustrated, hungry, happy, or in love. And Glen Keane is one of its masters.
In the Disney 2D era he was known for drawing fierce creatures like the the terrifying Bear in “The Fox and the Hound,” Willie the Giant in “Mickey’s Christmas,” and Snidely Whiplash villain Rattigan in “The Great Mouse Detective” — and, the fiercely memorable Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.”
“I was supposed to do Ursula,” he said on the phone. “I loved animating power and strength and weight. I was watching Jodi Benson record with Howard Ashman coaching her, trying to get her to sing from a personal, intimate desire of wanting the impossible, to believe the impossible is possible. As I watched that, I felt,...
In the Disney 2D era he was known for drawing fierce creatures like the the terrifying Bear in “The Fox and the Hound,” Willie the Giant in “Mickey’s Christmas,” and Snidely Whiplash villain Rattigan in “The Great Mouse Detective” — and, the fiercely memorable Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.”
“I was supposed to do Ursula,” he said on the phone. “I loved animating power and strength and weight. I was watching Jodi Benson record with Howard Ashman coaching her, trying to get her to sing from a personal, intimate desire of wanting the impossible, to believe the impossible is possible. As I watched that, I felt,...
- 11/30/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
To mark the release of Funko Games and Disney’s new card game Something Wild, we’ve been given 2 Toy Story themed sets to give away.
Funko Games has launched an exciting new line of collectible card games – Something Wild! – in collaboration with Disney, an exciting twist on classic trick-taking card games with the world’s favourite Disney characters, for ages 6 years and up, between 2 to 4 players. Something Wild! card games also has a unique collectible element – they all come with one of Funko’s famous Pop! Vinyl figures, in a mini Pop! size – playtime just became a collector’s item!
Each set comes with 45 x character cards, 10 x power cards and 1 x mini Pop!, with the aim of the game being to win 3 x power cards by making sets (three cards with the same number) or runs. The light competitive strategy game is perfect for card game fans, kids,...
Funko Games has launched an exciting new line of collectible card games – Something Wild! – in collaboration with Disney, an exciting twist on classic trick-taking card games with the world’s favourite Disney characters, for ages 6 years and up, between 2 to 4 players. Something Wild! card games also has a unique collectible element – they all come with one of Funko’s famous Pop! Vinyl figures, in a mini Pop! size – playtime just became a collector’s item!
Each set comes with 45 x character cards, 10 x power cards and 1 x mini Pop!, with the aim of the game being to win 3 x power cards by making sets (three cards with the same number) or runs. The light competitive strategy game is perfect for card game fans, kids,...
- 9/21/2020
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
CAA and Kraft-Engel Management have signed Helen Park.
Along with Chris Curtis and Marjorie Duffield, Park penned the songs for “Over the Moon,” an upcoming animated feature from Netflix. Glen Keane, who previously oversaw “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast,” directs the film, which debuts on Oct. 23. “Over the Moon” centers on a girl named Fei Fei, who builds and flies a rocket ship to meet the moon goddess, Chang’e.
Park is a three-time Drama Desk Award-nominated composer, as well as the recipient of the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical and the Richard Rodgers Award. Her music has been described as “perversely addictive” by The New York Times.
Park’s musical “Kpop,” for which she wrote music and lyrics, music produced, and orchestrated, received a sold-out extended run off-Broadway and is being developed for Broadway. With theaters closed due to coronavirus, “Kpop” recently hosted a virtual casting call.
Along with Chris Curtis and Marjorie Duffield, Park penned the songs for “Over the Moon,” an upcoming animated feature from Netflix. Glen Keane, who previously oversaw “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast,” directs the film, which debuts on Oct. 23. “Over the Moon” centers on a girl named Fei Fei, who builds and flies a rocket ship to meet the moon goddess, Chang’e.
Park is a three-time Drama Desk Award-nominated composer, as well as the recipient of the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical and the Richard Rodgers Award. Her music has been described as “perversely addictive” by The New York Times.
Park’s musical “Kpop,” for which she wrote music and lyrics, music produced, and orchestrated, received a sold-out extended run off-Broadway and is being developed for Broadway. With theaters closed due to coronavirus, “Kpop” recently hosted a virtual casting call.
- 9/16/2020
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Sardinia, a longtime a magnet for international productions spanning from James Bond classic “The Spy Who Loved Me” to George Clooney-directed TV series “Catch-22,” is ready for its close up again.
Following a hiatus due to the coronavirus crisis, the Italian island known for its emerald coast and ancient monuments is now hosting shoots for food and travel TV shows while scouting is under way for prospective big productions, including several from global streaming giants.
“We are doing lots of location scouting with Netflix, Amazon and Disney,” says Nevina Satta, head of the Sardinia Film Commission, who has long been a champion of eco-friendly best practices on set.
She has been busy training local executive producers in Covid-19 safety protocols alongside previous “green set” directives that the film commission had in place. Incidentally, during the pandemic, Sardinia had the lowest rates of coronavirus infection in Italy.
“Covid can actually...
Following a hiatus due to the coronavirus crisis, the Italian island known for its emerald coast and ancient monuments is now hosting shoots for food and travel TV shows while scouting is under way for prospective big productions, including several from global streaming giants.
“We are doing lots of location scouting with Netflix, Amazon and Disney,” says Nevina Satta, head of the Sardinia Film Commission, who has long been a champion of eco-friendly best practices on set.
She has been busy training local executive producers in Covid-19 safety protocols alongside previous “green set” directives that the film commission had in place. Incidentally, during the pandemic, Sardinia had the lowest rates of coronavirus infection in Italy.
“Covid can actually...
- 7/17/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
In the new pandemic era of streaming entertainment, Disney+ has seemingly built up its own strategy. Every summer month has thus far been highlighted by one major movie and then complemented with the typical Disney content.
For August 2020, the big original movie of the hour is Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe. This will be the second Phineas and Ferb movie and the first to make its premiere via streaming. The film premieres on August 28 and finds the Phineas and Ferb gang back together again as they set out across the galaxy to rescue Candace.
Two other Disney+ originals of note this month are Howard (Aug. 7)and The One and Only Ivan (Aug. 14). Howard is a documentary about Howard Ashman, the unheralded lyricist behind Disney classics like Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. The One and Only Ivan is a film based on the book of the same...
For August 2020, the big original movie of the hour is Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe. This will be the second Phineas and Ferb movie and the first to make its premiere via streaming. The film premieres on August 28 and finds the Phineas and Ferb gang back together again as they set out across the galaxy to rescue Candace.
Two other Disney+ originals of note this month are Howard (Aug. 7)and The One and Only Ivan (Aug. 14). Howard is a documentary about Howard Ashman, the unheralded lyricist behind Disney classics like Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. The One and Only Ivan is a film based on the book of the same...
- 7/17/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
"Howard and Alan Menken had captured the imagination of a generation..." Disney has released the new official trailer for a documentary titled Howard, made by the acclaimed Disney veteran Don Hahn. The doc film tells the story of songwriter Howard Ashman, who penned the lyrics for the musicals Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast, before he died of AIDS at the height of the AIDS crisis in 1991. "You may not know his name, but you sure know Howard Ashman's music," states Hahn. "He's one of the greatest storytellers of the twentieth century who helped to revitalize the American musical and re-energize Disney Animation. He left us a songbook that still lives on in us today, yet his personal story has never been fully told until now." The film features interviews with Ashman's longtime musical collaborator Alan Menken, who also scored the film, Bill Lauch...
- 7/16/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t know the songs from Disney’s animated classics like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid. However, you may have a harder time finding is someone who knows the name of the man who wrote those songs. Howard Ashman is the lyricist behind such memorable tunes […]
The post ‘Howard’ Trailer: Meet the Lyricist Behind the Classic Songs of ‘Aladdin’, ‘The Little Mermaid’ & More appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Howard’ Trailer: Meet the Lyricist Behind the Classic Songs of ‘Aladdin’, ‘The Little Mermaid’ & More appeared first on /Film.
- 7/16/2020
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
The new documentary “Howard” profiles the life and work of Howard Ashman, the legendary lyricist whose music and words on stage and in Disney films helped inspire a golden age of stories and musicals.
And along with the first trailer for the documentary film which shows behind the scenes footage of Ashman working with the voice actors for “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast,” Disney has unveiled that “Howard” will debut on Disney+ on Aug. 7.
“As a lyricist, the last great place to do musicals is in animation,” Ashman says in a clip in the trailer. “We knew something really special was happening, but what we didn’t know is that in nine months, Howard would be gone,” one of his Disney colleagues adds.
Also Read: Why 'Hamilton' on Disney+ Could Spark More Demand for Filmed Broadway Shows
“Howard” made its debut at the Tribeca Film...
And along with the first trailer for the documentary film which shows behind the scenes footage of Ashman working with the voice actors for “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast,” Disney has unveiled that “Howard” will debut on Disney+ on Aug. 7.
“As a lyricist, the last great place to do musicals is in animation,” Ashman says in a clip in the trailer. “We knew something really special was happening, but what we didn’t know is that in nine months, Howard would be gone,” one of his Disney colleagues adds.
Also Read: Why 'Hamilton' on Disney+ Could Spark More Demand for Filmed Broadway Shows
“Howard” made its debut at the Tribeca Film...
- 7/16/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The cast of the Home Alone reboot is growing. Deadline has confirmed that Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live), Ally Maki (Toy Story 4) and Chris Parnell (Archer) are also part of the fresh take on the classic 20th Century Fox franchise at Disney+.
The trio of actors join previously announced cast members Archie Yates, Rob Delaney and Ellie Kemper. The reboot, which had already been cast and was filming when the coronavirus-related shutdown hit in mid-March, is being directed by Dan Mazer. Its cast, revealed by the Disinsider, also features Aisling Bea, Pete Holmes, Timothy Simons, and Mikey Day, who co-wrote the script with Streeter Seidell. Hutch Parker and Dan Wilson serve as producers.
No logline has been released but the new Home Alone film is believed tyo follow a young boy (Yates) at war with a couple over a stolen figurine.
The...
The trio of actors join previously announced cast members Archie Yates, Rob Delaney and Ellie Kemper. The reboot, which had already been cast and was filming when the coronavirus-related shutdown hit in mid-March, is being directed by Dan Mazer. Its cast, revealed by the Disinsider, also features Aisling Bea, Pete Holmes, Timothy Simons, and Mikey Day, who co-wrote the script with Streeter Seidell. Hutch Parker and Dan Wilson serve as producers.
No logline has been released but the new Home Alone film is believed tyo follow a young boy (Yates) at war with a couple over a stolen figurine.
The...
- 7/16/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
I watched 2006's Aquamarine at my very first sleepover. At the time, it inspired me to style every long-sleeved shirt I owned and taught me to wait for boys to shake their hair, because apparently that meant they liked me. The teen staple is one of those underrated movies that I don't think about or watch very often, but when I do, it brings back a tidal wave of endless summer nostalgia.
If you somehow haven't seen this gem, it's about two shy, boy-obsessed best friends, Claire and Hailey (Emma Roberts and JoJo), during their last few days of summer before Hailey moves to Australia. A large coastal storm washes the ocean ashore their resort pool, bringing a mermaid (Sara Paxton) along with it. Aquamarine, named after a rare and precious gemstone, has legs when the sun is up and when she's dry. The issue: she has to find true...
If you somehow haven't seen this gem, it's about two shy, boy-obsessed best friends, Claire and Hailey (Emma Roberts and JoJo), during their last few days of summer before Hailey moves to Australia. A large coastal storm washes the ocean ashore their resort pool, bringing a mermaid (Sara Paxton) along with it. Aquamarine, named after a rare and precious gemstone, has legs when the sun is up and when she's dry. The issue: she has to find true...
- 7/15/2020
- by Maeve Reilly
- Popsugar.com
Exclusive: Disney has rehired and furloughed crew working on its UK production The Little Mermaid and will utilize the government’s Job Retention Scheme, meaning they will receive 80% of salary up to a maximum of £2,500 per month.
In email correspondence seen by Deadline, executive producer Jeff Shell and unit production manager Russell Allen notified production staff yesterday that it will rescind previous termination notices that were handed out on March 20 when it shut down all production until April 3; crew will still be paid in full until that date. The furlough will last until at least the end of May, unless shooting resumes or the production does not move forward as originally planned.
The move follows the UK government’s confirmation earlier this week that staff who were laid off since February 28 will be eligible for state-backed furlough if they are rehired by their previous employers.
The Little Mermaid, a live-action and CGI remake of the classic Disney movie, is being directed by Rob Marshall and has cast including Halle Bailey, Awkwafina, Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy.
Marvel pic Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness is another Disney set up in the UK, and is in pre-production ahead of a June shoot – it is not immediately clear if crew on that project are being furloughed.
Yesterday, Disney announced substantial pay cuts to high-level staff as it looks to weather the crisis, including chairman Bob Iger who will forego his salary and CEO Bob Chapek who will take a 50% cut. The studio has said it will continue to pay theme park staff until April 18 while the venues remain closed.
Deadline has reached out to Disney for further comment.
UK union Bectu also contacted its members today to notify them about Disney’s decision. The union said it has now written to nearly 300 film and TV production companies urging them to furlough Paye freelancers.
Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said: “Bectu welcomes Disney’s decision to furlough crew until the end of May when the government has said the Jrs will run until. Disney is taking its responsibilities as an employer seriously and this is model behaviour that the rest of the industry should be looking to follow.”
“We are calling on all production companies to do the same where they can and if cash flow is a problem to consider using the government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme. There are many Paye freelancers out there who have been waiting weeks for government help and one of their only options is to be furloughed. Employers must explore this option where possible to help alleviate the stress and anxiety that many are experiencing at the moment. Bectu will continue to highlight the range of hurdles freelancers and the self-employed are facing to qualify for financial support to the Treasury.”...
In email correspondence seen by Deadline, executive producer Jeff Shell and unit production manager Russell Allen notified production staff yesterday that it will rescind previous termination notices that were handed out on March 20 when it shut down all production until April 3; crew will still be paid in full until that date. The furlough will last until at least the end of May, unless shooting resumes or the production does not move forward as originally planned.
The move follows the UK government’s confirmation earlier this week that staff who were laid off since February 28 will be eligible for state-backed furlough if they are rehired by their previous employers.
The Little Mermaid, a live-action and CGI remake of the classic Disney movie, is being directed by Rob Marshall and has cast including Halle Bailey, Awkwafina, Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy.
Marvel pic Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness is another Disney set up in the UK, and is in pre-production ahead of a June shoot – it is not immediately clear if crew on that project are being furloughed.
Yesterday, Disney announced substantial pay cuts to high-level staff as it looks to weather the crisis, including chairman Bob Iger who will forego his salary and CEO Bob Chapek who will take a 50% cut. The studio has said it will continue to pay theme park staff until April 18 while the venues remain closed.
Deadline has reached out to Disney for further comment.
UK union Bectu also contacted its members today to notify them about Disney’s decision. The union said it has now written to nearly 300 film and TV production companies urging them to furlough Paye freelancers.
Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said: “Bectu welcomes Disney’s decision to furlough crew until the end of May when the government has said the Jrs will run until. Disney is taking its responsibilities as an employer seriously and this is model behaviour that the rest of the industry should be looking to follow.”
“We are calling on all production companies to do the same where they can and if cash flow is a problem to consider using the government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme. There are many Paye freelancers out there who have been waiting weeks for government help and one of their only options is to be furloughed. Employers must explore this option where possible to help alleviate the stress and anxiety that many are experiencing at the moment. Bectu will continue to highlight the range of hurdles freelancers and the self-employed are facing to qualify for financial support to the Treasury.”...
- 4/1/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Since Auli'i Cravalho voiced Disney princess Moana back in 2016, we knew that her being cast as Ariel in ABC's recent live production of The Little Mermaid was spot on. When the event aired on Tuesday night in celebration of the original film's 30th anniversary, our thoughts were confirmed when the Rise actress hit the stage in full mermaid regalia, from the glittering tail and seashell bra, to a bright red wig.
Although you might have expected her to sit still on a rock on stage, given the fact she's not . . . well . . . an actual mermaid, Cravalho actually got to channel Ariel's underwater skills by twirling through the air and soaring out above the crowd. Sure, some fans were divided about her execution of that note, but overall the 18-year-old delivered a magical take on the world's most famous mermaid. Watch her performance of "Part of Your World," above!
Although you might have expected her to sit still on a rock on stage, given the fact she's not . . . well . . . an actual mermaid, Cravalho actually got to channel Ariel's underwater skills by twirling through the air and soaring out above the crowd. Sure, some fans were divided about her execution of that note, but overall the 18-year-old delivered a magical take on the world's most famous mermaid. Watch her performance of "Part of Your World," above!
- 11/8/2019
- by Quinn Keaney
- Popsugar.com
What’s a Quibi show? It’s the one that’s 15 minutes long.
TV networks, streamers, and other content providers, heads up: Unless you can answer that question just as quickly and with equal clarity, stop talking about your brand. You don’t have one, and you don’t need one.
As the streaming era shifts into the content wars, so much focus on the success or failure of new content providers stems from their brand — or how the viewing public sees each company trying to sell them a new subscription service. Is Apple’s brand identity as a sleek, user-friendly, forward-thinking tech company going to help Apple TV+ appeal to prestige TV junkies? Will Disney’s brand as a family-friendly animation juggernaut with nostalgic ties to each generation’s childhoods make Disney+ an instant favorite in the streaming wars? Can HBO Max leverage HBO’s sterling reputation for high-quality...
TV networks, streamers, and other content providers, heads up: Unless you can answer that question just as quickly and with equal clarity, stop talking about your brand. You don’t have one, and you don’t need one.
As the streaming era shifts into the content wars, so much focus on the success or failure of new content providers stems from their brand — or how the viewing public sees each company trying to sell them a new subscription service. Is Apple’s brand identity as a sleek, user-friendly, forward-thinking tech company going to help Apple TV+ appeal to prestige TV junkies? Will Disney’s brand as a family-friendly animation juggernaut with nostalgic ties to each generation’s childhoods make Disney+ an instant favorite in the streaming wars? Can HBO Max leverage HBO’s sterling reputation for high-quality...
- 11/7/2019
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
The Little Mermaid is one of Disney’s most beloved films. Because of this, you may have expected that a live version of the movie put on by a corporation with more money than god would have some good-looking fish in it. You, as becomes very clear when looking upon the trash heap version of Flounder that starred in …...
- 11/6/2019
- by Reid McCarter on News, shared by Reid McCarter to The A.V. Club
- avclub.com
ABC’s live (or semi-live) musical adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” made a splash in the TV ratings on Tuesday night.
The show scored a 2.6 rating among adults 18-49 and just under 9 million total viewers, solid numbers for a live TV musical. For comparison, Fox’s “Rent” live musical event only drew a 1.4 rating and 3.4 million total viewers back in January, and NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live” from 2018 drew slightly more viewers at a touch over 9 million, but a smaller rating at a 1.7. Last night’s performance featuring Auli’i Cravalho, Shaggy and Queen Latifah among others was the highest-rated made-for-tv musical on any network in almost four years (since Fox’s “Grease” aired in Jan. 2016).
“The Little Mermaid Live” was fins and tails above the competition last night in terms of rating, but the crown for the most watched show still went to “NCIS” on CBS with 10.7 million total viewers.
The show scored a 2.6 rating among adults 18-49 and just under 9 million total viewers, solid numbers for a live TV musical. For comparison, Fox’s “Rent” live musical event only drew a 1.4 rating and 3.4 million total viewers back in January, and NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live” from 2018 drew slightly more viewers at a touch over 9 million, but a smaller rating at a 1.7. Last night’s performance featuring Auli’i Cravalho, Shaggy and Queen Latifah among others was the highest-rated made-for-tv musical on any network in almost four years (since Fox’s “Grease” aired in Jan. 2016).
“The Little Mermaid Live” was fins and tails above the competition last night in terms of rating, but the crown for the most watched show still went to “NCIS” on CBS with 10.7 million total viewers.
- 11/6/2019
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
"Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl," and "Under the Sea" are all very fun songs, we will not lie. But let's be honest about the fact that the star song of The Little Mermaid is, like with many Disney movies, the main one sung by the big bad. "Poor Unfortunate Souls" is a masterpiece, and Ursula may be evil, but she's also one hell of a performer. Tonight, in The Little Mermaid Live, Queen Latifah took on the role of the voice-stealing octopus, and she absolutely, truly, completely killed it. Auli'i Cravalho was as wonderful as expected as Ariel, Graham Phillips was a revelation as Eric, and Shaggy was completely fine as Sebastian, but Queen Latifah brought the...
- 11/6/2019
- E! Online
“The Little Mermaid Live!,” ABC’s often-jittery, ultimately charming concert special, strode into a heavy wake.
It follows NBC’s now-shelved holiday-season tradition of live musicals whose very appeal was their dancing on the edge of catastrophe, as with ambitious stagings of “The Sound of Music” in 2013 and “Peter Pan” in 2014, shows whose occasional shortfalls proved the admirable ambition of the project. Earlier this year, Fox’s own attempt at a similar ongoing project came to a jarring and weird impasse when an elaborately planned live production of “Rent” was confronted by its lead breaking his foot before air, necessitating the awkward use of taped rehearsal footage when airtime came.
ABC has no such tradition, and was free to make its own rules for a live musical production — ones that happened to be pleasantly in line with the network’s other current brief. In the days before the launch of Disney Plus,...
It follows NBC’s now-shelved holiday-season tradition of live musicals whose very appeal was their dancing on the edge of catastrophe, as with ambitious stagings of “The Sound of Music” in 2013 and “Peter Pan” in 2014, shows whose occasional shortfalls proved the admirable ambition of the project. Earlier this year, Fox’s own attempt at a similar ongoing project came to a jarring and weird impasse when an elaborately planned live production of “Rent” was confronted by its lead breaking his foot before air, necessitating the awkward use of taped rehearsal footage when airtime came.
ABC has no such tradition, and was free to make its own rules for a live musical production — ones that happened to be pleasantly in line with the network’s other current brief. In the days before the launch of Disney Plus,...
- 11/6/2019
- by Daniel D'Addario
- Variety Film + TV
The Little Mermaid is going live tonight, but it might not be doing so in exactly the way you're thinking. The broadcast that airs tonight is a hybrid movie/live show, with live performers giving us Broadway-level performances of all the songs, while the 1989 animated movie takes over for all the more complicated, less stage-able parts. We've seen a rehearsal of the production, and we can honestly tell you that if you like The Little Mermaid, you will be delighted by this show. It's big, it's bright, the costumes are incredible, and it's just a good time, and a fantastic 30th anniversary celebration of the movie. Here's a few things you can expect tonight. An...
- 11/6/2019
- E! Online
On November 17, 1989, Disney debuted “The Little Mermaid” to audiences across America, and 30 years later, it’s about to do it again. “The Little Mermaid Live!” is the latest live musical event to hit television, preceding the Mouse’s live-action film adaptation starring Halle Bailey (and slated to start production in 2020) and following in the footsteps of small screen hits like “Grease,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and last year’s “Rent” adaptation. But this is the first entry from ABC, the first attempt to reimagine a beloved Disney classic on TV, and everyone involved aims to make a pretty big splash.
First off, “The Little Mermaid Live!” isn’t reimagining the original film so much as it’s accompanying its melody. Ron Clements and John Musker’s classic movie will be “interwoven” into the live production — in other words, when there’s a song to be sung, it’ll be performed live...
First off, “The Little Mermaid Live!” isn’t reimagining the original film so much as it’s accompanying its melody. Ron Clements and John Musker’s classic movie will be “interwoven” into the live production — in other words, when there’s a song to be sung, it’ll be performed live...
- 11/6/2019
- by Ben Travers and Steve Greene
- Indiewire
When it comes to playing The Little Mermaid‘s Ariel in ABC’s live special, Auli’i Cravalho has the most magical mentor.
Ahead of the ABC’s The Little Mermaid Live! on Tuesday, the 18-year-old actress opened up to People about the sweet advice she received from Ariel herself, Jodi Benson.
“I’ve spoken to Jodi and she’s an absolute dream,” Cravalho said of Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 animated film. “I actually met her a few years ago at D23, which is a wonderful Disney convention, and I remember her just telling me — and this is before,...
Ahead of the ABC’s The Little Mermaid Live! on Tuesday, the 18-year-old actress opened up to People about the sweet advice she received from Ariel herself, Jodi Benson.
“I’ve spoken to Jodi and she’s an absolute dream,” Cravalho said of Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 animated film. “I actually met her a few years ago at D23, which is a wonderful Disney convention, and I remember her just telling me — and this is before,...
- 11/5/2019
- by Octavia Akoulitchev, Christina Dugan
- PEOPLE.com
The live television musical is a genre that has seen great evolution over the years. Some productions have employed inside/outside settings, while others have incorporated 360-degree oners, and many have created immersive experiences where the audience is part of the production. For ABC’s first foray into this special area of artistry, it is upping the ante further: “The Wonderful World of Disney: The Little Mermaid Live” mixes live-action song-and-dance numbers featuring puppetry, aerial work and live animals with the animation of the 30-year-old classic film.
“Everybody wanted to do something a little different,” executive producer Raj Kapoor tells Variety. “We had this whole creative team that comes from a vast range of experiences, and everyone wanted to put their own spin on it because we see this as blending the theatrical version with the feature film version with a live awards show meeting elements of the Super Bowl.
“Everybody wanted to do something a little different,” executive producer Raj Kapoor tells Variety. “We had this whole creative team that comes from a vast range of experiences, and everyone wanted to put their own spin on it because we see this as blending the theatrical version with the feature film version with a live awards show meeting elements of the Super Bowl.
- 11/5/2019
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
The Little Mermaid is the latest beloved musical to get the live TV treatment, and so far the production sounds like it's going to absolutely blow us out of the water! ABC is staging The Little Mermaid Live! in celebration of the Disney film's upcoming 30th anniversary.
Director and executive
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Other Links From TVGuide.com The Little MermaidAuli'i CravalhoQueen LatifahShaggy...
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Other Links From TVGuide.com The Little MermaidAuli'i CravalhoQueen LatifahShaggy...
- 11/5/2019
- by Lindsay MacDonald
- TVGuide - Breaking News
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