Disney is currently working on adapting their beloved 1989 animated classic
The Little Mermaid. With Lin Manuel Miranda on board (my guess is he voices Sebastian) and working on new music with Alan Menken, the adaptation is well underway on the creative end. Additionally, Disney was looking to hire Rob Marshall to direct the adaptation. With music, lyrics, and (probably) directing already lined up, all that's left is casting.
Since Lindsay Lohan reminded everyone that this was even happening, I offer some believable casting choices based on the following criteria:
Ariel, the Little Mermaid in question, is most famous for:• signature bright red hair
• Jodi Benson-appointed singing voice
Ariel is also a self-proclaimed "sixteen years old and not a child" (even though she is most definitely a child).
*In general with casting adaptations I don't believe hair color is
that big a deal, but in this case it's an almost essential part of the character. So whoever is cast, if not already a redhead, will certainly have to dye her hair or wear a wig that is hopefully convincing.
This list is presented in age-order.
Age-Appropriate and Already a RedheadSadie Sink, 16Hair? Yes. Ms. Sink is a natural redhead and has blue eyes, just like Ariel.
Can she sing? Yes. Ms. Sink starred as the titular character in
Annie on Broadway in 2013. There aren't any very clear recent examples of her singing solo, but here she is dueting with
Stranger Things co-star Millie Bobby Brown:
Just because she's 16, should Ariel also be that young in the movie? Honestly, no. If Disney keeps Ariel as 16, then the three days rule and subsequent marriage remains nagl. I think Disney will age her just a bit, but still keep her "little," i.e. young.
Sophia Lillis, 16Hair? Yes. Even though Ms. Lillis is surprisingly
not a natural redhead, literally no one would guess she wasn't. Like Ms. Sink, she also has blue eyes, so matches up with the cartoon-Ariel perfectly.
Can she sing? No idea. But she's a talented kid, so maybe!
Just because she's 16, should Ariel also be that young in the movie? See above. But no, she shouldn't.
Age-Appropriate, but Red Hair NeededAuli'i Cravalho, 17Hair? Red hair needed, but honestly she's so fabulous that they should leave her hair alone. She's Moana of fucking Motunui. She doesn't need the red hair because she's already an icon.
Can she sing? YES, A THOUSAND TIMES YES! The very best Disney Princess™ of the new millennium, I am sure you've already heard her sing. But in case you want to jam out to some Moana, here you go:
But she was already a Disney Princess™! So? Queen Lea Salonga provided the singing voices for both Princess Jasmine and Mulan. A beautiful voice is a beautiful voice, and one head can hold multiple crowns.
Yara Shahidi, 18Hair? Red hair needed.
Can she sing? No idea.
Why would Disney cast her? Ms. Shahidi is already on Disney's radar what with them entrusting her to successfully launch a spin-off of
Black-ish (which she did), so I wouldn't be surprised if they're looking to launch her film career in a big way.
Slightly Older, But Age-wise Makes More SenseZendaya, 21Hair? Red hair needed, but she can evidently rock any hair color, including pink.
Can she sing? Yes. I think she has a very pleasant voice, and she's already been in a movie-musical, so she's all good:
Why would Disney cast her? She's certainly a familiar face and has worked with Disney in the past (and I believe is still attached to Marvel's Spider-Man franchise). Unlike Yara Shahidi, who also works for Disney, she wouldn't be as much of a risk because audiences are already familiar with her in a musical capacity.
Hailee Steinfeld, 21Hair? Red hair needed.
Can she sing? Yes. She has provided the world with this self-love classic:
Why would Disney cast her? With Bumblebee as a pretty high-profile release, Ms. Steinfeld may be on Disney's radar. I'll be honest though, of everyone on this list, she's the one I'm least convinced about.
Saoirse Ronan, 24Hair? A natural blonde, but she recently dyed her hair/is wearing a wig to play Mary, Queen of Scots. It looks fine.
Can she sing? Kinda? This clip isn't the best, but I
think she's ok? But is "ok" enough for Ariel? Hmmmmmm....
She seems random? Yes, she is. But she's also probably on every casting shortlist regardless of whether or not she's right for the part. Then again, what part is Saoirse like Inertia not right for, y'know?
Sources:12345ONTD, based on this very complicated criteria, who would you want to see making one of the worst business deals of all time?