ABC is going full steam ahead with The Little Mermaid Live! and it has set some of its primary cast for the event.
Moana star Auli’i Cravalho will portray Ariel for the live event while Queen Latifah and Shaggy will take on Ursula and Sebastian respectively. The Wonderful World of Disney Presents The Little Mermaid Live! will feature f live-action, animation, and puppetry.
ABC had originally announced this live event back in May of 2017 with a premiere date on October 3, 2017, under its long-dormant Wonderful World of Disney banner. In August of 2017, the network announced the project had been put on hold.
The Wonderful World of Disney Presents The Little Mermaid Live! will feature live musical performances by its star-studded cast interwoven into the broadcast of the original feature film. The hybrid format will combine intricate sets and costumes created for the special with music from the original animated film and the Tony Award-winning Broadway stage version, composed by eight-time Oscar-winner Alan Menken.
If the special proves to be successful, ABC President of Entertainment, Karey Burke, says that more could be in the works. She has a strong desire to take on more live specials and adapting the Disney titles will involve working closely with the feature department about timing.
The timing of The Wonderful World of Disney Presents The Little Mermaid Live! is near perfect as it’s set to air on November 5, very close to the November 17 30th anniversary of the animated feature film.
