Halle Bailey Says New ‘Little Mermaid’ Film is “Way Bigger” Than Original Story

Becoming a Disney Princess may not be all it’s cracked up to be.

According to The Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey, in order to film the underwater scenes for the film, the actress had to be in the water for 13 hours straight during filming some days.

Photo: Disney

“I pushed myself as far as I’ve ever pushed myself in life,” Bailey told Variety, about the hours spent filming in the water. “And I feel like the message from [Ariel] was to know that you’ve always had it in you.”

The film, which was directed by Chicago and Into the Woods director Rob Marshall, used practical water tanks and visual effects to create the film’s underwater sequences.

Photo: Also Disney

A More Modern Take

In addition to talking about her time under the sea, Bailey also talked about the film’s attempt to modernize the original Disney classic.

“I’m really excited for my version of the film because we’ve definitely changed that perspective of just her wanting to leave the ocean for a boy,” Bailey said. “It’s way bigger than that. It’s about herself, her purpose, her freedom, her life, and what she wants.”

Photo: Also Disney

“As women we are amazing, we are independent, we are modern, we are everything and above,” she added. “And I’m glad that Disney is updating some of those themes.”

The new live-action version of The Little Mermaid will swim into theaters on May 26. The film stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCartney as Urusla, and Javier Bardem as King Triton.

Photo: Also Disney