The 'Little Mermaid' Live-Action Movie Needs an Ariel, So We Dream Cast 13 Actresses
For fans of The Little Mermaid, the future is looking pretty bright. Hollywood is granting us with not just one but TWO live-action adaptations of the underwater classic, and Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda is attached to one of them. While he doesn’t have an official job (or role) yet, Lin-Manuel told Vulture that he’s such a fan of the fairy tale that “no matter what,” he’ll be there for the ride.
The Broadway star is signed on to help with the Disney film, but there is also another Little Mermaid in the works via Universal Studios. Originally, Chloë Grace Moretz was attached to play Ariel, but there’s been talk that she’s since pulled out of the project, which would leave two openings for everyone’s favorite red-haired mermaid. With news as exciting as this, obviously there’s only one thing to do: dream cast! Here are 13 actresses we’d love to dive under the sea with on the big screen.
WireImage1/14Anna Kendrick
Anna Kendrick is an obvious choice, after she killed it on screen as Cinderella in Into the Woods. Does playing one princess preclude her from taking on another? We hope not.
Getty Images2/14Ruby Rose
Ariel is defiant, rebellious, and speaks her mind. We can totally see Ruby in this role!
FilmMagic3/14Zendaya
Zendaya is already taking on an iconic character in Spider-Man as MJ, so we think she’d fit right into this story as well. We can definitely imagine her as the most dazzling of the royal mermaid sisters.
WireImage4/14Lea Michele
Lea is an OG musical theater star. Although we’re used to seeing her lately as Hester on Scream Queens, let’s never forget that she got her start on Broadway (and then Glee, of course), so we’d pay serious money to hear her sing “Part of this World.”
WireImage5/14Cara Delevingne
We mean, Cara has already played a magical mermaid in the latest Peter Pan adaptation, so she’s basically 100% prepared to take this role on.
Getty Images6/14Kimiko Glenn
We fell in love with Kimiko from her adorable and quirky role on Orange is the New Black – but she’s also a talented Broadway star. She recently rocked the New York stage in the musical Waitress and we could totally imagine her singing some emotional love ballads, while perched on a rock.
WireImage7/14Amandla Stenberg
Amandla cannot be stopped. She’s a talented actress, model, and she’s got a musical streak. With her style and vibe, she’d definitely make a perfect mermaid.
WireImage8/14Halsey
We think it’s time that Halsey makes her debut on the big screen, TBH. She’d do a great job of channeling Ariel’s outspoken side and add a chic edge to the character.
FilmMagic9/14Ariana Grande
We can’t deny the fact that this would be EPIC. Ariana already has the long hair – she wouldn’t even need a mermaid wig. One question: would she want to go back to Sam and Cat's red hair?
WireImage10/14Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee is the legit definition of triple threat. With her fabulous singing voice and serious acting chops, she’d be a shoo-in for this role.
WireImage11/14Keke Palmer
Keke plays a badass lady who gets things done on Scream Queens – so we have no doubt that she’d be incredible as a mermaid who doesn't let anything get in the way of her dreams.
Getty Images12/14Auli'i Cravalho
Auli’i is already joining the ranks of Disney princesses as the title role in the upcoming Moana. Why not add one more to the list?
WireImage13/14Selena Gomez
Between her album, tour, and new movies, Selena's proof that a star can do it all. Could she return to her Disney roots as a mermaid? We hope so.
