Disney Live Action Little Mermaid

[Brazoo]

Also, I recently read a book about marketing and they mentioned the most popular youtube star right now is this little boy who reviews toys, he's worth $11 million. The author noted that his somewhat ambiguous ethnicity played a huge hand in his global popularity.

While I have no idea what his cultural background is, I watched his videos and understood him to be a "perfect storm" in a sense for the global marketplace.

Oh god! Is it Ryan or CKN Toys? My 3 year old is addicted to both. Ryan drives me crazy. Well, they both drive me crazy, but Ryan's mom is extra annoying to me for some reason.

[Wee67]

As for the casting choice? If politics is involved in casting a non-white performer it is because the politics happen to align themselves to marketing and profitability. Disney's agenda is their brand, that's it.

Exactly! Disney is first and foremost a content business. Reinforcing the brand is the best way to strengthen and build that brand. If there's a "PC" being discussed in meetings its more likely to mean "potential cash" than anything else.

I want Disney to remake their live action movies as cartoons, "Computer wore tennis shoes" and "Superdad" being my top picks. I'm on hand to provide a Joe Flynn sound a like.

THAT would be fun! I'd love to see 'Escape To Witch Mountain' (a cartoon Donald Pleasence alone would make it worthwhile, alone) and 'The Apple Dumpling Gang' done in the style of Nick Park/Aardman Animation.

[palitoy]

As for the casting choice? If politics is involved in casting a non-white performer it is because the politics happen to align themselves to marketing and profitability. Disney's agenda is their brand, that's it. Performers like Halle Bailey and Zendaya (and a bunch of other young performers I'm too old to know) are in Disney's bullpen because they're part of a carefully constructed architecture for future Disney. They're likely insanely super talented for their age and they're basically groomed for years to maintain a "Disney" image. It's not "PC" for its own sake — the plot is much much thicker than that.

Thank you, I share a similar take but never factored in the grooming aspect. You are right, Disney has done this since Annette.

Also, I recently read a book about marketing and they mentioned the most popular youtube star right now is this little boy who reviews toys, he's worth $11 million. The author noted that his somewhat ambiguous ethnicity played a huge hand in his global popularity.

While I have no idea what his cultural background is, I watched his videos and understood him to be a "perfect storm" in a sense for the global marketplace.

Films are all global now and while I'm sure there are well-meaning and progressive investors out there, the bottom line is the bottom line and you want everybody to come.

[Brazoo]

I think there's many reasons these remakes are so attractive to Disney, for one thing it's about investing value into their existing IPs which is why they'll do a smash hit like Lion King, but also try out a less-regarded brand like Pete's Dragon. I think it's all about building a cycle around their existing IPs. Like, remember when Disney VHS/DVD movies went into moratorium and then they "came back" they were huge again? I don't think they care about making "classics" — I think what they want is for Little Mermaid merch to hold its value until enough time passes for the next generation when they remake it again in god-knows-what new form.

As for the casting choice? If politics is involved in casting a non-white performer it is because the politics happen to align themselves to marketing and profitability. Disney's agenda is their brand, that's it. Performers like Halle Bailey and Zendaya (and a bunch of other young performers I'm too old to know) are in Disney's bullpen because they're part of a carefully constructed architecture for future Disney. They're likely insanely super talented for their age and they're basically groomed for years to maintain a "Disney" image. It's not "PC" for its own sake — the plot is much much thicker than that.

[Hedji]

I do. In my world, that's all that matters.

Whenever garbage like this rears its ugly head, I'm reminded of Chancellor Gorkon's line in Star Trek VI, "Well... I see we still have a long way to go.". David Warner was so good in that role. And the line "Inalienable... If only you could hear yourselves. Human rights. Why the very name is racist. The Federation is no more than a Homo sapiens only club."

Good stuff, science fiction. Imagine if we could learn from it.

[palitoy]

I just wish people would direct their passionate Disney discord at more important things, like how they completely blew it with the latest Star Wars trilogy.

I thought everybody loved it?

[EMCE Hammer]

I just wish people would direct their passionate Disney discord at more important things, like how they completely blew it with the latest Star Wars trilogy.

[palitoy]

So explain to me what you think the "PC motif" is for doing this. This is not a trap of any kind, I genuinely want to know because I hear it said a lot that things are being forced down our throats" but I don't know the motivation for such actions.

Why would Disney do this if it's going to cost them money? What "PC agenda" is so important? I have my own theories, which are far more cynical but i'd rather listen than talk.

[Nostalgiabuff]

the thing to me, is the blatant PC reason for doing it.

Anthony Mackie as cap is different, as, if I am not mistaken, Falcon was Cap for a bit in the comics. plus he is not playing Steve Rogers as Cap, he is playing Falcon as Cap.

When Spiderman Homecoming came out, they said that Zendaya was NOT that MJ. maybe that has changed since.

Look, I get that there is not enough diversity in TV and film, but this type of thing is just forcing it in. If they do princess and the frog and cast a white girl as the lead, do you still feel it is okay?

[Hedji]

This is such a non issue, it's unbelievable and shameful in this day and age. I has having some fun taking a poke at the practice of remaking the cartoons, but reactions to this specific casting are a sobering reminder of where our culture really stands.

Kevin Smith has been advocating for a "Black Batman" on his podcast in recent years, and I couldn't agree more. In fact, if Anthony Mackie is going to be the new Captain America, I really would like Disney to give him some cinematic adventures rather than sending him to their Disney+ streaming service.

Oh and while we're at it, Zendaya > Kiersten Dunst.

[Megotastrophe]

I had read that Melissa McCarthy was playing Ursula. Purple Americans everywhere have taken umbrage at the offense.

[Mikey]

There's been so many changes to major pop characters throughout history …

The ones that are altered for "PC" reasons were only controversial when it happened …

The next generation always takes them as proper

[palitoy]

Children are adaptable, empathetic and open-minded, there isn't going to be an issue unless a parent teaches them bias.

[Werewolf]

The actresses that play the Disney Princess characters in the parks wear wigs. They also are expected to be able to play a variety of the Princesses. One day they might be playing Belle and the next day Aurora. The Princess characters are based on the movies and don't change because of live action versions. I don't think people realize how many live action remakes there have been already. Aladdin wasn't the first. Unlike adults kids generally don't get fussed or confused about the casting of the characters in spin offs or remakes. Just look at the Descendants movies.

[Nostalgiabuff]

i don't think they will change anything at the parks for any of these live action movies. the parks follow the cartoons, except in cases where It was a live action movie, like Pirates of the Caribbean