Pinch me, am I dreaming? Disney is moving forward with their live-actionThe Little Mermaidand they’re recruiting some of the best talent in the creative talent in the business.Lin-Manuel MirandaofHamiltonfame and legendary Disney songwriterAlanMenkenwill team up to write the music for the live-action adaptation of the beloved 1989 animated film. Miranda will also produce the film alongsideMarc Platt(Grease Live!).
PerDeadline, The plan is for the soundtrack to be a mix of new music pre-existing songs from the animated classic, which Menken co-composed, winning two Oscars for his work on the film. As for Miranda, this deepens his burgeoning relationship with Disney. He previously worked on the music for the studio’s upcomingMoanaand will soon star inRob Marshall’sMary Poppinsreboot alongsideEmily BluntandMeryl Streep. In addition to his Disney projects, Miranda is also producing a feature film adaptation of his first Tony-winning musical,In the Heights.
The studio is still negotiating the details of Miranda’s involvement inThe Little Mermaid, but at this point he is currently on board to supervise the story with the studio planning to hire a screenwriter soon. It’s worth noting that the Pulitzer, Grammy, Emmy, 3-time Tony Award winner has a lot of love for the property (he even named his son Sebastian because dawwww), and this dude doesn’t seem to half-ass anything, so if he’s on board, he’s probably giving it his all.
The Little Mermaid is the latest in Disney’s ever-expanding line-up of live-action reboots. Click through for Dave’s in-depth breakdown ofDisney’s upcoming live action lineup, or check it out in brief below.
Cruellawith Emma Stone set for the title role and Kelly Marcel writing
A Wrinkle in Timewith Ava DuVernay attached to direct and Jennifer Lee writing
Jungle Cruisewith Dwayne Johnson set to star and John Requa and Glenn Ficarra writing
Dumbowith director Tim Burton and writer Ehren Kruger
Asequel toMary Poppinswith director Rob Marshall, starring Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda
Maleficent 2with Angelia Jolie set to return in the title role and Linda Woolverton writing
The Nutcracker and the Four Realmswith director Lasse Hallstrom and writer Ashleigh Powell
The Jungle Book 2with both director Jon Favreau and writer Justin Marks returning
ATinker Bellprojectwith Reese Witherspoon set to star and Victoria Strouse writing
