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The Little Mermaid came out in theaters on May 26.
Halle Bailey stars in the film as Ariel.
Disney has not announced The Little Mermaid 2 yet.
The Little Mermaid is one of the most talked-about movies in a long time. The Halle Bailey film came out May 26 and has already made a huge splash with fans, many of whom are calling it one of Disney’s best live-action remakes yet. So, does that mean there will be a sequel? There’s definitely a chance! Here’s what you need to know about The Little Mermaid 2.
Is There Going To Be A Sequel To The Little Mermaid
Disney has not announced plans for The Little Mermaid 2. At least, not yet. The original 1989 animated movie had both a sequel and a prequel, and director Rob Marshall addressed if that could happen with his 2023 live-action movie.
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Halle Bailey in ‘The Little Mermaid’ (Photo: Disney)
“I know there have been the prequels and sequels to the animated film – like, the straight-to-video kind of things, you know?” he said in an interview. “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,” Rob added. “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.”
There have been some examples of Disney live-action remakes getting sequels. Alice in Wonderland and Maleficent had follow-up films. The Lion King‘s prequel film is coming out July 5, 2024. Cruella and Mulan both have sequels that are in the works.
Cast & Crew On The Little Mermaid 2
The entire Little Mermaid cast would likely return for the sequel, with one glaring exception. Melissa McCarthy‘s Ursula dies in the film, so she’s unlikely to come back. So, as long as the actors are interested, the sequel would likely star Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian the crab, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder the fish, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Awkwafina as Scuttle, and Noma Dumezweni as Queen Seline.
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Melissa McCarthy in ‘The Little Mermaid’ (Photo: Disney)
Rob Marshall directed the live-action flick, but he hasn’t said whether or not he’d return to work on a sequel. The film is amazing, so it would be such a treat if Rob stays with the franchise.
The Little Mermaid 2 History
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea was the 2000 animated sequel to the 1989 film. The sequel was a direct-to-video release, meaning it didn’t come out in theaters. It takes place 12 years after the events of the original movie, and is all about Ariel and Eric’s daughter, Melody, who is forbidden from exploring the sea. The film was followed-up by 2008’s The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning, an animated prequel to the first movie, that was also released direct-to-video. It’s about Ariel when she’s younger following her mother’s death. The Little Mermaid animated franchise also launched a TV series that aired for three seasons on CBS in the 1990s. Jodi Benson voiced Ariel in all the animated projects.
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How Did The Little Mermaid End?
Halle Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King in ‘The Little Mermaid’ (Photo: Disney)
The Little Mermaid culminates in an epic battle under the sea. Ursula is defeated and King Triton is resurrected and reunites with Ariel. Ariel returns to the sea, but she’s not really happy and misses Eric. Triton knows Ariel’s heart lies on land, so he transforms Ariel into a human permanently. Ariel and Eric reunite. They get married and unite their people. Ariel and Eric embark on a new journey together as they set sail to find uncharted territory. As they leave, King Triton bids Ariel farewell along with the rest of Ariel and Eric’s loved ones. The film has a very conclusive ending, but Ariel’s story is never really over.
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