It Doesn’t Sound Like We Are Going to Get a Live-Action ‘The Little Mermaid 2’
When Disney’s live-action version of The Little Mermaid splashed into theaters in 2023, expectations for the film were high.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney’s live-action remakes had been a gold mine for the company, with The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast all grossing over $1 billion. The Little Mermaid, then, seemed like a sure-fire hit.
Image: Disney
To bring the live-action Little Mermaid to life, Disney assembled a star-studded team that included Halle Bailey in the titular role, Rob Marshall behind the camera, and Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken writing the film’s songs. It looked like another Disney blockbuster was in the works.
‘The Little Mermaid’ Floundered
When The Little Mermaid finally hit theaters, it did not make the splash many expected. While the film received decent reviews and performed well at the domestic box office, it flopped overseas.
Image: Disney
By the end of its theatrical run, the film had grossed $569.6 million. That would have been a good number for most films. Unfortunately, it was not good for a tentpole Disney movie with a $240 million budget.
There Was Talk of a Sequel
Following the release of The Little Mermaid, many fans began to wonder about the franchise’s future. Marshall, for his part, initially seemed optimistic about the prospect.
Image: Disney
“It’s a classic story that has a lot of characters and a lot of interesting stories. I do think it’s right for certain things.,” he told Total Film.
“But you have to see how a movie plays, and how it does… I think there’s always opportunity to find stories within stories. That’s always a wonderful thing.”
Photo: Disney+
Bailey, meanwhile, seemed open to adapting The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea.
It Sounds Like Disney Is Done With the Franchise
Now that the waves have settled, however, it does not look like a Little Mermaid sequel is in the works.
According to a new report from TheDisInsider, Disney is not currently developing a Little Mermaid 2. While spinoffs of the film were initially considered, it does not sound like they will come to fruition.
(L-R): Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric and Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
On a positive note, however, Disney is reportedly interested in working with Bailey on another project. Hopefully, we learn more about the mystery production soon.
