The world has finally been told who plays Ariel in the upcoming live action remake of the Disney cartoon classic The Little Mermaid; Chloe x Halle member, Halle Bailey.
Director Rob Marshall revealed that the casting team had met with lots of talent but Bailey had been the front runner.
"After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role," Marshall said in a statement.
So far the confirmed cast members are Awkwafina (Ocean's 8) and Jacob Tremblay (Room). Melissa McCarthy is in talks to play the film's villain Ursula.
Fans had previously thought Zendaya was going to take the main role but the singer/actress debunked those rumours on Twitter.
Bailey- who also stars in Grown-ish- formed her musical duo with her sister back in 2015. Her casting has caused widespread reaction with only a fringe group of purist, if not outright racist Twitter users objecting the idea of a black mermaid.
A significant number of other users were confused as to why Halle Berry had been cast as Ariel. But the actress took it all in stride, congratulating her namesake in a tweet depicting an animated black little mermaid.
https://twitter.com/halleberry/status/1146564345410621440
https://twitter.com/msmorganjarrett/status/1146525537290137600
The casting of Bailey as Ariel meant a lot to people of colour.
https://twitter.com/RheaMorris_/status/1146509228858908673
https://twitter.com/acalderon_20/status/1146588767169458176
https://twitter.com/justusteele/status/1146544427927842816