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If you were one of the countless children who grew up singing along with Disney princesses and fantasizing about experiencing “part of that world,” you were likely thrilled to see these iconic ladies come to life in live action adaptations of their stories.

From Mulan to Snow White, Disney has been working hard to create new versions of many of the princesses we know and love, so below, you can meet the women who had the chance to turn their childhood dreams into a reality. Enjoy learning a bit about these actors and the iconic roles they were able to portray, and keep reading to find a conversation with Lisa Dawn, the woman behind The Princess Blog!

#1

Emma Watson As Belle

Emma Watson As Belle

Emma Watson might be most well known for her portrayal of Hermione Granger, but in 2017, she shined on the big screen as the “most peculiar mademoiselle” Princess Belle. When discussing this live action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast with ABC News, director Bill Condon said, “Emma Watson was our first, and really our only, choice for Belle for a lot of reasons: her talent, her beauty, her intelligence."

Belle is known for having her head buried in books, and Watson, who has an English literature degree from Brown University and is set to complete her master’s degree in creative writing at Oxford University, is also an avid reader. “I grew up on film sets, and books were my connection to the outside world,” she told Vanity Fair. “Later in life, they became an escape, a means of empowerment, a friend I could rely on.” Both the princess and actor are also passionate about feminism, as Belle always asserts her opinions, and Watson has championed the UN Women’s HeforShe campaign.     

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Zoecat
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought she was great 💀 I don’t get why so many people are going off about her, is it just bc of how she looks?

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To learn more about these iconic princesses from an expert, we reached out to author and the woman behind The Princess Blog, Lisa Dawn. Lucky for us, Lisa was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda about what she loves most about Disney princesses. “I love that [they] encourage us to be the best version of ourselves through kindness, compassion, and ingenuity,” she shared. “They provide inspiration and encourage us not to give up on our dreams, even in the most dire of circumstances. For instance, if Cinderella had given in to the abuse of her wicked stepfamily, she never would have had the opportunity to go to the ball and become a princess. These stories represent hope for a better tomorrow.”

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#2

Naomi Scott As Jasmine

Naomi Scott As Jasmine

In 2019, Disney released their live action version of Aladdin, starring English singer and actor Naomi Scott as Jasmine. Scott, whose mother is from Uganda and of Gujarati Indian descent, is proud of her Indian roots and has sported traditional Indian jewelry on Instagram before. An accomplished actor who’s also starred in Charlie’s Angels and Power Rangers, Scott was a welcomed casting choice for the princess who finds ‘A Whole New World’.

Erum Salam at The Guardian explained how meaningful it was to see a brown princess be deemed beautiful by Disney when she was a child, and how great it is to have a live action version now too.  “As an adult, I’m well aware I don’t need that validation, but for a younger generation, it’s a chance to finally see themselves represented on screen by a real person playing a character they have also probably been compared to their entire life.”

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Sonja
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved the life action. People are hating on Will Smith' Genie but I thought he did a great job. I especially liked that he did NOT try to just copy Robin Williams Genie and that he toned his acting down and didn't try to make it into something else. And they gave the story back to the titular hero and gave us a great princess on the way. I thought it was well balanced and really respectful. I also thought it was very decent to give that role to a person of colour. It should have been a black person all along. They were better fitting into the cultural context since the story came from their geographical region and is part of their inheritance. Although Robin William's Genie was great!

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We were also curious which Disney princess Lisa loves the most, and she shared that her favorite is Ariel. “Her passion and bravery in taking risks to chase after her dreams was an inspiration to me when I transitioned into adulthood,” Lisa explained. “Not only does she rescue her own prince, but she was also willing to make a deal with the nefarious sea witch to seek her own happiness. Many people wouldn't have the courage to do that and settle for mediocre lives.”

#3

Elle Fanning As Sleeping Beauty

Elle Fanning As Sleeping Beauty

Although there hasn’t yet been a live action remake of the 1959 classic Sleeping Beauty, the princess Briar Rose has been portrayed by actor Elle Fanning in the 2014 film Maleficent, which tells the story of the vengeful witch who curses Sleeping Beauty. And lucky for Fanning, she actually had the chance to portray the princess she was always partial to. “Of the Disney princesses, Sleeping Beauty was my favorite because I looked like her the most,” she told the Daily Beast in 2014. “So I’d always gravitate towards her items at the toy store.

The first Maleficent was filmed when Fanning was only 14 years old, but she managed to impress audiences, as well as her co-star Angelina Jolie. “She always held herself so well and she always had such grace and she's such a strong actor that you never seemed like a child,” Jolie told ET in 2019. "You've also maintained -- which I think is almost unheard of in this business -- such sweetness and gratitude for the job and for every minute and for everybody.”

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On the other hand, however, Lisa noted that her least favorite princess is Merida, “which is ironic because she's the other fellow redhead,” she added. “I felt like Merida didn't embody most of the traits that make princesses so special. Instead of being compassionate, she was selfish and rejected the opportunity to help her family and her kingdom.”

#4

Lily James As Cinderella

Lily James As Cinderella

Cinderella has been deemed the most popular Disney princess of all time, being the fan favorite in 76 countries, so finding a real life actress who was able to capture her essence certainly wasn't taken lightly. But lucky for fans all over the world, Downton Abbey star Lily James was able to perfectly fill the glass slippers of this princess. In fact, James originally auditioned for a stepsister role in the 2015 film, but director Kenneth Branagh knew she deserved to find her Prince Charming.

“She's a funny kid. She knew there's a beautiful absurdity about [the story] as well,” Branagh told ABC News. “Ultimately, it need not be taken that seriously, and that was a Cinderella quality that we wanted. She still was completely professional and committed to it, but she had a lightness of spirit about it which we thought was perfect for our Cinderella.”

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When it comes to the live action adaptations, Lisa said they generally don’t measure up to the original animated classics. “They're a lazy way to copy and paste popular movies in the hopes that they benefit from the success of the originals,” she explained. “The remakes also draw attention away from the beautiful animated art form that made Disney such a successful company in the first place.”

Instead, Lisa says she would prefer to see new adaptations of these stories, many of which are very different from the Disney versions. “Did you know that in the Perrault version of ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ the prince's mother turned out to be an ogre who tried to eat their children?”

#5

Mia Wasikowska As Alice

Mia Wasikowska As Alice

Now, we know that Alice is not technically a princess, but she’s another iconic Disney leading lady that we just couldn’t resist including on this list! Australian actress Mia Wasikowska starred as the leading role in Tim Burton’s whimsical 2010 rendition of Alice in Wonderland.  

Wasikowska, who was a relatively unknown actor at the time, shared with The Guardian in 2010 that it was “kind of bizarre” seeing all of the film’s posters and merchandise come out, and admitted that she experienced a bit of anxiety “playing a character so beloved by so many people.” But her portrayal undoubtedly captivated audiences around the world. “All of [Tim Burton’s] films are so beautiful, works of art in their own right,” the leading actress noted, and Alice in Wonderland was certainly no exception.

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TotallyNOTaFox
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The movie was OK, but that wasn't the fault of the actress - she did a very good job

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We also asked the expert who she would like to see star in the next live action Disney princess film, but she noted that it’s best to see “new faces” make their acting debuts as fairy tale princesses. “For instance, Halle Bailey had a small role in Grown-ish and was in a singing duo with her sister, Chloe, before she got cast as Ariel, but it wasn't until after Disney announced her casting that she became a household name,” Lisa explained. “I think it's partly due to that fact that she seems to capture the wide-eyed innocence of the character so well.”

#6

Drew Barrymore As Cinderella

Drew Barrymore As Cinderella

Many women have had the honor of playing the beloved princess Cinderella, including Drew Barrymore, who took on the role in the 1998 film Ever After. And although Barrymore has had an extensive career in Hollywood, she mentioned in 2023 that her experience playing Cinderella actually “changed [her] life forever.” 

“You know, when you have those very clear times in your life — incidences, situations, circumstances — that you know your life went in a better direction for and from, and this is that for me,” Barrymore said recently on her talk show, while discussing Ever After. “There’s no question."

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“In terms of remakes that haven't been made yet, I'd love to see an enthusiastic little girl start her career in the role of Sofia the First, another one of my favorites,” Lisa continued. “Back in 2013, Annie Leibowitz added this photograph of Taylor Swift as Rapunzel to her ‘Year of a Million Dreams’ series depicting celebrities as Disney characters. I thought it was a perfect fit because Taylor's personality is such a good match for the character.”

#7

Wei Zhao As Mulan

Wei Zhao As Mulan

The iconic warrior princess Mulan has been portrayed in live action films twice now, but the first one, which was released in 2009 and features a nearly entirely Chinese cast, stars Zhao Wei as the protagonist. Mulan: Rise of a Warrior has been praised as the more realistic version of the story, and director Jingle Ma said Zhao was “perfect for [her] role” because she possesses all of the traits he imagined for his film.

Zhao has starred in many Chinese blockbuster films, including Shaolin Soccer, Red Cliff, and The Founding of a Republic, and her more traditional portrayal of Mulan is certainly worth checking out if you’re a fan of this beloved warrior woman.

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Sonja
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The life action was horrible. Not the actresses fault but they completely botched the story. Mulan was a real life girl fighting to fit into the world and learning to expand her abilities and grow. At the end she was an encouragement for everyone. The animated movie showed trie equality between men and women, it showed that everyone struggles and has to learn and grow to become their best. The real life action made her a brat with supernatural powers who looked down at everyone. I hated it.

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“From what I've seen, I find that Disney fans are generally burnt out from all the remakes and would prefer to see more original stories or new adaptations that incorporate the animated art form,” Lisa went on to note. “I'm particularly excited about Wish, which is coming out this November and is meant to pay tribute to a century of Disney animation. It will feature a new heroine/princess named Asha who embarks on a quest to save the magical kingdom of Rosas from a wicked king. I've also heard rumors of an animated Disney adaptation of ‘The Princess and the Pea’ in the works, which has been attempted by other studios in the past.”

If you’d like to hear more from the princess expert and keep up with all of the news she shares, be sure to visit Lisa’s website The Princess Blog right here!

#8

Liu Yifei As Mulan

Liu Yifei As Mulan

The second live action adaptation of Mulan, which premiered in 2020, stars Chinese-American actress Liu Yifei. And landing the role of this warrior princess was no easy feat, as the casting directors for the film searched across five continents to find the perfect actor. “They looked to hire a young Chinese woman who had credible martial arts skills, was able to speak English, and had star quality,” Elle reported. 

In the film, Yifei sings and performs 90% of her own stunts. About her role, she told Interview Magazine, “Her motivation was love, her love for her father, and her journey of finding out who she truly is. That was my homework, and I would say that it motivated me to prepare myself mentally, but also physically, with a lot of gym stuff, fight training, horse training. But at its core, Mulan is really about the character, the spirit. She is such a famous character, but I also wanted to be myself. It was all about balance and choice. It’s always brave to be yourself.”

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Minnie Not Mouse
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't really like the actor for mulan as a person. She supports police brutality, and the movie was shot in the area the Uyghur Muslims are being detained. Edit: Lots are pointing out that that may have not been her actual opinion, so I understand that now. Sorry for putting that in the first place.

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#9

Lily Collins As Snow White

Lily Collins As Snow White

We may still be awaiting a proper live action adaptation of Snow White, but we were granted the film Mirror Mirror in 2012, where actress Lily Collins took on the role of the beloved princess. This version of the story focuses more on the Queen’s story, who was played by Julia Roberts, but Collins was still thrilled to take part in the film. So happy, in fact, that she actually couldn’t believe she had been given the role at first. 

“I thought it was an April Fools joke,” she revealed in a 2012 interview. “When I found out it wasn’t, I screamed and I started crying and laughing at the same time. They were horrific tears, laughter, and screaming combined. I couldn’t believe it. It’s definitely bizarre seeing your face on a bus or billboard.”


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#10

Halle Bailey As Ariel

Halle Bailey As Ariel

This live action adaptation of The Little Mermaid was released on May 26, 2023, and stars 23-year-old actor Halle Bailey. And although Halle may not be twins with her cartoon counterpart, she has been called “as naturally Disneyfied as real human beings can get,” and has been celebrated for bringing a beautiful portrayal of Ariel that many more children can see themselves in. 

Singer Kelly Rowland called the new film an “epic watch,” and Bailey’s ability to “belt like a Broadway star” has been praised. In fact, she even received support from the original voice of Ariel in the 1989 film, Jodi Benson. “Halle's interpretation of Ariel is absolutely beautiful," she told People. "The casting has been done so perfectly. It's about the heart of the character."  

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TotallyNOTaFox
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Virtue Signaling - It's easier to swap out characters than creating original ones. "We stand with you, but not so much that it would be worth the effort"

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Carrie B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Holy c**p there's some serious racism in these comments.

LokisLilButterknife
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, there are some very racist people in this comments section. I love how people are complaining about the skin colour of a mythical creature. Ariel being black affects these people in absolutely no way. They are just trying to hide their racism behind week arguments like “this is a European tale”

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Kevin Felton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still can't get over the fact that people are upset by the race of the imaginary fish person. I get why people were upset when Netflix cast a black woman as Cleopatra because that was a real person who actually lived, but Ariel is a fantasy character from a race of people that never existed.

Danger Bunny (She/Her)
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who downvoted???? I agree with you, and it'd make sense that the merfolk would have darker skin, hanging out by the surface all day, by the sun

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Ash
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My bestie just came back from seeing this movie with her daughter, who is a HUGE Disney's Little Mermaid fan, and they ADORED it. They said it was SO GOOD, and all the changes were for the better--developing the romance more so it wasn't so much love-at-first-sight, explaining Ursula's backstory more, changing how Ursula dies. The only thing they didn't like was Scuttlebutt's rap, but they said everything else was FANTASTIC. That Halle Bailey was at LEAST as good a singer as Jody Benson (voice of the animated Ariel) and that Melissa McCarthy delivered a fantastic performance as Ursula. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

frog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg bro, the little mermaid was my fave movie as a child, I had little mermaid everything- for anyone upset by the live-action mermaids appearance, yall are just racist, grow the f**k up 🙄 I ain't seen it yet, cause I'm waiting for it to be on disney+ but I cannot wait!!!!

ebackx
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand why people complain about this Black actress playing this part, MERMAIDS DON'T EXIST. They can use any skin color they want, from Green to purple, it's fiction.

LokisLilButterknife
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because these people have nothing better to do with their lives than complain about a beautiful black actress playing a mythical sea creature. They keep on spitting out the same articles about their European myths being stolen and Ariel being a red-head. I’m more disturbed at how many upvoted these people are getting. I find it odd that they complain about a black mermaid in a movie with damned singing sea creatures.

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CaptainFluffy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The comments on here are insane. It’s a disney-fied version of a Danish fictional character based on a mythical being. Who the f**k cares about the race of the actor (other than proud boy racist twats).

Fly_Agaric_Frog (They/Them)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like this was an amazing casting decision. Based on the advertisements for the movie, she looks great for the part and I think she will do wonderful in the movie!

Charlotte Stackhouse
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, people really don’t like it, but I feel it will benefit from the casting decision.

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Groon TheWonderdog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lame argument by grown adults over a movie for children. Not a single one of them express outrage when white people play natives. It's only when it doesn't fit their narrative do they get all dumb about it. It's racism pure and simple but they will argue til the end of time " I'm not racist I'm just trying to point out something that shouldn't be". Oh boo hoo black washing but no mention of white washing, gotcha. In the end arguing with these people is like playing chess with a pigeon. Good day. I SAID good day.

LokisLilButterknife
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I says the same thing and was called woke or PC by angry ol’ adults who are complaining about the skin colour of a mythical being.

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Eazy-E Ryder
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I absolutely LOVE Halle Bailey as Ariel. She's a gorgeous actress with an EXCELLENT voice. And the movie was better than many thought it would be.

Courtney Christelle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ariel was described as red headed and blue eyed. She’s half fish, half human. Why are people so hung up on the skin colour?

Mike Loux
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"There's no way that Triton's daughters all came from the same mom." It's GOOD to be the king.

Nicki Knoll
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seven daughters for seven seas, they had to adapt to the region of the world they are in. This is why they look different, they are old af so time has had time to adapt them.

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PeepPeep the duck
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can’t wait for this one ❤️ my mermaid friends across the see blixunami has been flown around for the premier in London and all over (he’s a US merman)

-Twin2-
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have personally seen the movie and I think it's great. It's a nice spin off of the original which is racially diverse and extremely entertaining. All of the songs were great and I personally loved the storyline. I know people are hating on it but in my opinion, it is really a great movie 🤷‍♂️

BeepBoop is Lonely (she/they)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I haven't seen it quite yet, but I think it makes sense for a live action. I'd assume they really wouldn't have access to hair dyes, and in the live action her hair is closer to a ginger. I think they might have done the same thing if the actor who was cast was white or another race. I kinda do wish that too tho lol

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Do-nut touch da donut
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I watched the movie, and it was beautiful. URSLA WAS A QUEEN, and halle slayed her role

Kristina
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THIS MOVIE WAS SO GOOD!! and Halle's voice was beautiful, as well as her hair and costumes. they cast her perfectly and anyone who's complaining is being ridiculous

Jack Nielsen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I personally don't care what an actors race is but I think that why people are mad is because they want the actor to be just like the one in the animated movie. If there older they want a hit of nostalgia and if there younger I still don't understands but that is why I think people are having problems with her being black

Beans
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are probably right about this, and I get it on some level, these things are precious to us so we want them the same... but people need to get over it. We have like, 10± white Disney princesses and like 3 persons of colour-- Mulan, Jasmine and Tiana in the original lineup and it's important little kids see their skin colour represented. POC are constantly asked to relate to white characters and when the opposite happens people treat it like they are mortally offended, like we aren't all just humans. Honestly I watched the 50th anniversary special of Beauty and the Beast, which has a black Gaston and Belle in it, and both actors killed it and were so good! H.E.R. (that's the singers name) had way more personality than Emma Watson. I would have preferred this version of the movie.

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StrangeOne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just saw this movie. I have to say the media really likes to play up controversy that isn't actually there. Halle played Ariel well. Melissa McCarthy played Ursula flat and same with the guy who play Triton. Ariel's sisters were played by various raced actors. It wasn't terribly in your face, but the choosing of ethnic actors playing some of the characters wasn't well thought out. DNA and genes was not considered, js. However, as a movie in whole it wasn't bad. I'm more disappointed Les Poisson song was omitted from the movie, and the fight between Sebastian and Chef Louis. That was always the best song and scene in the animated version.

Nicki Knoll
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

seven daughters for seven seas, they are old and had time to adapt to where they were located. I thought it was very clever to have them represent the seven seas. but what evs...

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TotallyNOTaFox
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The obvious aside - the movie is too dark, the CGI sucks, the song "Scuttlebutt" is vomit inducing and the pacing is off. Disney really hit rock bottom lately. And of course Jodi Benson praised the cast, no actress wants to land on the "Do not hire" list written by Disney

Eazy-E Ryder
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Halle Bailey was BEAUTIFUL as Ariel and many others think so too. If you don't like it thats YOUR problem

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vogonpoet
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I haven't seen it, I'm Disney phobic, but I'm keen to watch it. I saw the animated film when I was 6, and promptly told my aunt (who took my cousins and I to see it) that it was the biggest load of c**p I'd ever seen. I had a copy of the Hans Christian Andersen book, and no one died, so it was disappointed.

Sonja
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The life action is even worse. Don't watch it. The fairytale was gruesome but had a beautiful message and in the end she didn't die, she just lost her body but got a chance to win a soul as reward for her kindness. It's quite sad but still uplifting. The message of the story was: true love means sacrifice and letting go instead of doing harm. The message of both movies is: run away at 16 to fling yourself at a stranger who doesn't even know you exist and make him fall in love with you and marry you after three days.

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Eazy-E Ryder
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm going to say it AGAIN. Halle Bailey is a Drop dead BEAUTIFUL actress with an astoundingly wonderful voice, and she nailed the role PERFECTLY. It's insanely enraging when I hear confused and simple minded trolls ask why they "race-swapped" Ariel, a FICTIONAL character.

Lemon Beans
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Literally the only thing wrong with her being portrayed by halle bailey is that her hair isn't vibrant red. And it's not ever her fault, it's the costume department's. Red hair is the most iconic part of the character loll

Kamal Hasan
Community Member
6 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've always cherished Ariel's classic Caucasian appearance from the original Disney film, which holds a special place in my heart. However, I found it challenging to connect with the African-American portrayal in the 2023 live-action remake. While I deeply appreciate the importance of bringing diversity to beloved characters, this particular reinterpretation didn’t resonate with me. It’s a poignant reminder of how our emotional bonds with iconic characters can profoundly shape our preferences.

Nicholas Scott
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, at first, I didn’t like the idea of her being Ariel because of the appearance. It then I actually watched the movie, and it was amazing. She did such a great job and her mannerisms were on spot. Thanks for being a great actor despite your skin color, because the acting quality itself matters more than the color of her skin.

Virgil Blue
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By now I would settle for the new Disney remakes changing all characters to cyborg wizard foxes if the end movie's story wasn't a badly rewritten mess with added on bits. Sure the stories care old an you think "princesses" should be doing it for themselves. But that doesn't mean the princes should be helpless buffoons. Make em more equal if you want to change anything. F.e. Tangled.

Jenny Galbraith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Halle did an amazing job! I'm a lifelong Ariel fan and I loved the movie.

RiaSaysLOL
Community Member
1 year ago

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I Love Halle Bailey, but (and I might get downvoted for this, but it's my opinion) I don't think they should be changing classic Disney movies. We've all grown to love the movies the way they are and if Disney wants different races, they shouldn't be changing the ones that are already here. Imagine if Elsa was now Chinese, or if Mulan was black. It wouldn't work because of the setting and culture of the places in which the stories are based. Right now, I'm letting Disney off the hook because under the sea there wouldn't necessarily be a specific culture caused by its location on the map.

Scarlett O'Hara's Ghost
Community Member
1 year ago

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Did they.... Did they.. darken the skin tone of this picture of animated Ariel!? Cuz it sure looks like they did

BluEyedSeoulite
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, it's part of when she's singing "Part of that World" in her cave. It's dim lighting so it makes sense that would reflect on her skin

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Rocky Wheelwright
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1 year ago

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Again, they completely butchered the charm of the animated version. This looked like terrible 90s CGI.

Tomato Bisquette
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1 year ago

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This is literally the first time on board panda that the comment section isn't filled with left wing virtue signaling and absolutely down voting to hell any criticism 🤣 maybe there is hope for this website yet!

Tomato Bisquette
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1 year ago

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How are they gonna throw this in here after all the ones before it are basically shot for shot identical 🤣

Eva Verde
Community Member
1 year ago

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Nope. Give me the pale, blue-eyed ginger girl that I've known as Ariel my whole life. Make new characters that look differently. Inclusivity done wrong.

Virgil Blue
Community Member
1 year ago

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The casting would have made sense if they had done a little more with it, like really changing up the story and location. Now it's just another very inferior version of a practically timeless classic.

Valaun
Community Member
1 year ago

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This movie created an issue where there didn't need to be one. When Will Smith was cast as the genie, it wasn't an issue for me because the main part of who the genie is is a blue, outrageous, funny guy with a heart of gold. The race of the actor playing him wasn't an issue, because he was blue. So long as he was funny and crazy, the genie could be played by about anyone. But make that genie red or green or yellow and I start wondering why the hell they are messing with it. What is the value add. It takes me out of the story and starts me thinking about the motivations of who cast them. This situation is the same. I never once thought about Ariel being white in cartoon. But now I'm not thinking about the story, I'm wondering what political BS is being thrown in. I'm passing on this movie for that reason. I don't want politics in my stories that weren't intended to be there. I won't pay $ for someone else's politics.

TRQ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is one of the dumbest comments I've seen in a while lmao, if they made the actress wear white makeup all over her body would that be better for you?? No, because your problem is that she's black and you have a problem with black people.

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Omima mimi miki
Community Member
1 year ago

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I wont watch it...it's just the whole political thing they made it in to - what was wrong with Ariel being a redhead....not every new adaptation has to star a black person ( don't downvote me for saying that) but you know it's true....

TheAceofSpades
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah bless, why can’t Ariel be black? What is it to you that a mythical sea creature be played be a talented African American actress. You do know that the original author Hans Christian Andersen never mentioned the hair colour of the character. Is your world going to end if Ariel is black and not a red head? No, then stop freaking complaining.

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TheAceofSpades
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And why doesn’t it work, Raven? Would you say the same thing if Ariel was played by a Hispanic or Asian actress?

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Two_rolling_black_eyes
Community Member
1 year ago

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She's too old. The little mermaid is supposed to be 14 turning 15. Took the kids to see it today. Halle did a great job but it was like watching a 90s teen drama where all the teenagers look like they are 30 because the actors are 30. Halle is only 23 but she looks older in the movie. It distracted me.

Sonja
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's 16. She even sais so in the movie itself. But in the story she was of age and her coming to the surface and seeing the world above was a coming of age ritual that all mermaids did. Her father hating humans was made up by Disney for extra drama and making her younger was a marketing trick.

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TheAceofSpades
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How the hell is it cultural appropriation, Joe. It’s a movie about a freaking mythical sea creature and a bunch of talking animals.

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Basil Sas
Community Member
1 year ago

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Sad that 'they' have no actual culture of their own....

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#11

Anna Kendrick As Cinderella

Anna Kendrick As Cinderella

Another unique adaptation of Cinderella’s story takes place in the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods, which received a film version in 2014, directed by Rob Marshall. In this version, Anna Kendrick plays the classic princess who loses a shoe, and who, in the end, doesn’t even end up with her prince.

"What’s interesting about this version, and what’s very modern about this one, is that not only does Cinderella leave her prince, but she leaves with forgiveness and respect and compassion for [him],” Kendrick told Vulture in 2014. “It’s not black and white for her. It’s not even black and white for the prince, who lives a pretty black-and-white life… There is something extremely relevant and modern about the idea of civility in separation.”


Disney Report

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#12

Rachel Zegler As Snow White

Rachel Zegler As Snow White

Disney’s live action Snow White won’t be appearing on screens near you until 2024, but we can fill you in on who will be starring as this beloved princess. Rachel Zegler, the radiant star of West Side Story, will be gracing audiences with her rendition of ‘Some Day My Prince Will Come’.

And while there have not been too many details about the film released just yet, Rachel has been spotted in her iconic dress on set already. This glimpse is just enough to get audiences excited about the new movie, as we’ve had to wait over 80 years for Disney to finally give us a live action rendition of their very first princess.

20TH CENTURY STUDIOS/ EVERETT Report

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Audiences have shared some of their thoughts on these live action Disney adaptations, specifically the 2023 The Little Mermaid