Disney’s latest live-action remake, The Little Mermaid, has faced tons of backlash ahead of its release, most of which pertain to this version being played by Halle Bailey.
The live remake’s backlash revolved around why the titular mermaid princess is being adapted with a Black actress instead of having white skin.
Not to mention, not having the same tint of red hair as the original 1989 animated film version had.
Well, now as we approach the premiere date of The Little Mermaid, director Rob Marshall finally addresses the grueling question.
To that, the director emphasized that they had NO agenda in casting a woman of color for the role.
“I first saw Halle [Bailey] on the Grammys, when we had just started casting.” Marshall shared in a recent interview with Deadline.
“We were looking everywhere, and there was no agenda to cast a woman of color. Just, let’s find the best Ariel.”
Marshall added: “And then I saw this beautiful creature, singing like an angel on the Grammys. I thought, who is this? We brought her in. I had no idea if she could act, but thought, [something’s] so ethereal and otherworldly about her.”
READ MORE: The Little Mermaid Remake Changes Ariel’s True Reason For Giving Up Her Voice
Disney may have previously addressed the early racist backlashes The Little Mermaid was receiving, but word from the remake’s own director should reassure fans they know what they’re doing.
Even original Ariel voice actress Jodi Benson approved of Bailey being cast in the live-action.
She openly stated that “What you bring to the table in a character as far as their heart and their spirit is what really counts.”
This is not the only backlash the live remake faced.
Apart from the idea that fans have always been against the idea of Disney turning their childhood favorites into live-action, The Little Mermaid’s posters failed to impress the audience.
The features of the sea creatures were deemed 'too realistic', enough to be accused of promoting animal abuse, given that cartoonish actions (such as Ariel playing with Flounder’s fins) were seen as exploitative towards animals.
For now, Disney’s The Little Mermaid live-action remake will hit theaters on May 26!
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