Disney’s The Little Mermaid has just splashed its way in theaters worldwide and fans are already asking if we’re getting a The Little Mermaid live-action sequel. Well, here’s what we know!
Has Disney Confirmed The Little Mermaid Live-Action Sequel?
Disney has produced and remade a lot of their animated classics into live-action, and despite its many surrounding controversies, it would seem only fair for the remakes to follow through their original films’ footsteps.
In this case, The Little Mermaid’s animated trilogy consisted of The Little Mermaid (1989), The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000), and The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning (2008).
The Halle Bailey-led live remake surely could follow a sequel, right?
Well, as of writing, Disney has yet to confirm that The Little Mermaid will get its own sequel. This is especially because the remake has just been released.
But here’s what director Rob Marshall had to say in an interview with Total Film (via GamesRadar) on carrying on with a potential sequel:
“I know there have been the prequels and sequels to the animated film — like, the straight-to-video kind of things, you know? 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. 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.”
As for the main couple of the story, Halle Bailey (Ariel) and Jonah Hauer-King (Eric), the two actors also made their own statements on potentially returning for a sequel.
In an interview with Narcity, Bailey admitted she would be all for it, given that she loves The Little Mermaid II.
As for Hauer-King, “Yeah, I would be up for doing it. I kind of would like to also be a merman. So if we can also somehow involve that storyline to go with [Melody, their daughter].”
ALSO READ: The Ending of The Little Mermaid Explained
How Does The Little Mermaid Live-Action Set Up A Sequel?
2023’s The Little Mermaid made a lot of changes to the story which definitely improved the live remake and made it different from its animated counterpart.
But the question is, would it make sense for The Little Mermaid to get its own sequel?
The ending of The Little Mermaid certainly rekindled Ariel with her father and King of the Sea, Triton, as they saved each other’s lives.
Although it ends with Triton letting go of Ariel to travel the world with Eric, there’s a lot to embark upon on their journey together.
If the live remake plans on following The Little Mermaid II, the animated sequel, then they are likely to have their own daughter, Melody, added to the roster.
However, the original The Little Mermaid sequel mostly had Eric and Ariel forbidding Melody from going into the sea, which would negate the ending of the 2023 remake.
There is a chance that 2023’s The Little Mermaid is all there is to the story.
Fret not, though, as it all depends on Disney and the director Marshall if they ever conjure up a different storyline, perhaps explore the reason behind why merpeople and humans have long been divided?
READ MORE: When is the Streaming Release Date of The Little Mermaid?
Is There A Trailer For The Little Mermaid Sequel?
For now, there are no trailers or any confirmed announcement that The Little Mermaid live-action will be getting its own sequel.
So, in the meantime, you can check out The Little Mermaid 2023 live-action trailer below: