Live-Action ‘The Little Mermaid’ To Feature New Songs For Ariel and Scuttle

Halle Bailey and Awkwafina will both be showing off their vocal chops in the upcoming live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. We expected Bailey would as she plays the titular character Ariel who has multiple musical sequences. However, despite Awkwafina having a music background, her character, Scuttle, never had any songs in the animated film. Now, thanks to some comments from composer Alan Menken, that all changes. While on Show People with Paul Wontorek, Menken gave an update on the film’s musical status with his co-composer Lin-Manuel Miranda.

We’re like four or five new songs in. We’re really having a good time writing it together. We’re writing a new song for Eric. We’re writing a new song for Ariel. We’re writing a new song for Scuttle.

Alan Menken (Aladdin) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Moana) will be remastering the music from the original film, while also adding brand new songs, which would also include one a new solo for Prince Eric… that’s what we hear that is. Read: EXCLUSIVE: Disney’s Live-Action ‘Snow White’ Remake To Begin Production Next Spring Also in talks to join Disney’s upcoming remake is Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales star Javier Bardem is in talks to play Ariel’s father King Triton  Melissa McCarthy, Jacob Tremblay, and Awkwafina who are circling Ursula, Ariel’s best friend Flounder, and Scuttle. Daveed Diggs has also entered talks to voice Sebastian. The Little Mermaid will be directed by Rob Marshall, and production is expected to begin in January in the Caribbean. Source: Show People With Paul Wontorek