Details on Ariel's New Song in Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID "For the First Time"
Director Rob Marshall’s remake of Disney’s The Little Mermaid will not only include all of the iconic songs that we grew up with, but it will also include new music as well. A new song included in the movie is titled “For The First Time,” and it was written by Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda.
During a recent interview with Empire, Marshall offers some details on the new song, which is said to take place during a pivotal point in the story. The director reveals:
“It’s about her experiences the moment she hits land. We needed to create a number that could almost work as a montage, so we could take her through that experience – coming onto the land, what it’s like to put on shoes, have legs. Anybody who has a different experience, it’s wondrous and scary at the same time.”
It’ll be interesting to hear the song and see how it fits in with the tone and style of the rest of the original music, which was created by Broadway legends Alan Menken and the late, great Howard Ashman.
When talking about the casting of Halle Bailey as the lead in the film, Marshall said: “There was an innocence and a purity to [Halle] as well as having fire. It was this strange combination. And, of course, this magnificent voice.”
She certainly does have a beautiful voice, and I have no doubt she’ll give a wonderful performance as Ariel.
The beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
The film also stars Jonah Hauer-Kingas Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Daveed Diggs (Hamilton, Snowpiercer) as the voice of Sebastian; Jacob Tremblay (Luca) as the voice of Flounder; Awkwafina (Raya and the Last Dragon) as the voice of Scuttle; Art Malik (Homeland) as Sir Grimsby; Noma Dumezweni (Mary Poppins Returns) as Queen Selina; and Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) as King Triton.
The Little Mermaid will hit theaters on May 26, 2023.