The Changing Faces of Disney: Why Did Ariel’s Ethnicity Change in the New Little Mermaid?

Introduction

Disney's decision to recast The Little Mermaid with Halle Bailey as Ariel has sparked heated debates. While some argue that diversity is the reason for the change, others feel it is a form of cultural disservice. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind the ethnicity change and the impact it had on the film's marketing and reception.

Woke Culture

The term 'woke culture' has taken center stage in discussions about the ethnicity change in the 2023 remake. Many feel that Disney made a mistake by changing Ariel's appearance to a young black woman. This was particularly noticeable as Ariel's sisters, originally depicted as white in the 1989 animated film, are now shown to be of different races.

One user expresses, "If I were black, I'd feel insulted and disrespected. Why not make another princess for them as they did with Tiana in the Princess and the Frog?" While another complains, "They are a bunch of racist bastards…also in the original movie all of her sisters were white not a bunch of different races."

Changes in Casting

The 2023 remake of The Little Mermaid featured Halle Bailey, a talented singer and actress known for her performance in Newsies. Some critics argue that this decision was more about race than talent.

A person argues, "Because you see there are many equally or more talented actresses than Halle who also look like animated Ariel who can also sing and act equally or better than Halle. Halle is a very good singer. But her acting is much to be desired."

Meanwhile, others support the change, emphasizing that mermaids can be any color and that the ethnicity change was simply about fitting the role with the right actress.

Marketing Strategy

Disney's decision to recast reflected a marketing strategy aimed at reaching a wider audience. The film's marketing campaign focused heavily on the controversial casting choice.

The casting of Halle Bailey in the lead role created a buzz, with the announcement generating massive social media coverage. The studio saw this as a marketing opportunity to gain attention and engagement.

One commenter observes, "The politically correct answer is ‘right actress for the job’ and I am not knocking Halle Bailey's performance at all. I think she did as well as anyone could be expected to in making a ‘live-action’ remake of a classic animated film."

Financial Performance

Despite the buzz generated by the casting choice, the financial performance of the film was underwhelming. The 2023 remake was produced on a budget of $240.2 million and grossed approximately $569.6 million. However, given the timing of its release, the film struggled to attract audiences, especially in theaters.

According to studio standards, a film is considered a financial success if it can make back at least 1.5 times the budget in its opening weekend. The film underperformed, only generating $118.8 million less than half its budget.

One user concludes, "The film picked up in streaming and the merchandise fell aside pretty quickly. So what was the reason for the change Marketing. Did it work Not really."

Conclusion

The casting of Halle Bailey as Ariel in the 2023 remake of The Little Mermaid sparked significant debate. While the decision was likely driven by market considerations, the financial and critical reception was less positive than intended. This case study highlights the complex relationship between marketing strategy and artistic choices in modern film production.