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Samuel E. Wright at an event for The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008)

News

Samuel E. Wright

The Egyptian Theater to Host ‘The Little Mermaid’ Screening for Lafca’s 50th Anniversary Celebration | Exclusive
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Netflix and The Egyptian Theatre have announced that Academy Award-nominated directors Ron Clements and John Musker will be in attendance at a screening of their 1989 animated film “The Little Mermaid” on Thursday, July 24 as part of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association’s 50th anniversary celebration series.

The screening will begin at 7: 30 p.m. and will be preceded by a moderated Q&a with the filmmakers and Lafca member Carlos Aguilar.

The event will commemorate “The Little Mermaid’s” winning of Lafca’s first-ever Best Animation award, which was the first time the organization created a specific category to recognize excellence in animated films.

The original “Little Mermaid” film was released in 1989, based on the 1837 Danish fairytale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen. It was written and directed by Clements and Musker, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman. The voice cast includes Jodi Benson,...
See full article at The Wrap
  • 7/15/2025
  • by Umberto Gonzalez
  • The Wrap
This Forgotten Disney Film Paved the Way for James Cameron's Avatar
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Every studio has its hits, and Disney is no exception. Despite the studio’s massive influence, it’s still prone to producing pop culture duds. Yet, many of those “flops” are important stepping stones. They help the studio learn what works and — more importantly — how to create something better. One of the studio’s most unappreciated stepping stones hit theaters in May 2000. Dinosaur’s rubbery behemoths may not have aged gracefully, but their uncanny appearances highlighted the studio’s lofty ambitions.

Fans should think twice before judging the visuals of Dinosaur too harshly, as the world’s first feature-length CGI film, Toy Story, debuted just five years earlier. Though the former film’s visuals have undoubtedly aged, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The “outdated” effects of Dinosaur are a CGI time capsule, and they reflect what was once considered the most advanced technological achievements in digital animation.

Disney...
See full article at CBR
  • 3/10/2025
  • by Meaghan Daly
  • CBR
The Best Disney Movies Rated G, Ranked
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With a vast range of Disney movies, it can be hard to know which one to go with, especially when looking for a film that is suitable for a young audience. While the studio is known to create movies for the whole family, some wouldn't appeal to children, nor would they be appropriate. However, there's a whole host of films that meet the G certificate rating.

There is a Disney film for every movie fan's taste. Some involve talking animated animals, and others depict a teenager's journey to becoming a princess. Whether with songs or without, the below selection of G-rated movies provides a varied choice for younger viewers.

Updated by Alexandra Locke on December 24, 2024: Disney is known for making movies that are fun for the whole family - including even the youngest members. Disney has a wide selection of Rated G films, but these are among the best.
See full article at CBR
  • 12/24/2024
  • by Ruby Brown, Alexandra Locke
  • CBR
The Little Mermaid Review: This Classic Disney Animation's Message Still Resonates 35 Years Later
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Thirty-five years ago this week, Disney released Ron Clements and John Musker's The Little Mermaid, and pop culture was never the same. Between its iconic visuals and addictive soundtrack, the movie has long since become one of the Mouse House's most beloved movies, and for good reason. Ariel's story is timeless and continues to inspire the imagination. Even if some want to claim parts of the story are problematic, The Little Mermaid has a message that resonates to this day.

The Little Mermaid

Director John Musker, Ron ClementsRelease Date November 17, 1989Studio(s) DisneyDistributor(s) DisneyWriters John Musker, Ron ClementsCast Jason Marin, Pat Carroll, Samuel E. Wright, Rene Auberjonois, Jodi Benson, Christopher Daniel BarnesRating GRuntime 63 MinutesGenres Family, Animation, AdventureFranchise(s) The Little MermaidBudget $40 MillionMain Genre Animation

I grew up with The Little Mermaid, so I have a lot of fondness for it. Ariel was one of my favorite Disney princesses as a kid,...
See full article at ScreenRant
  • 11/14/2024
  • by Rachel Labonte
  • ScreenRant
10 Disney Movies With Very Strange Messaging
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Disney movies are often admired for their wholesome morals, but examining some classics a little closer shows that they have some strange messages. Children's movies usually have positive messages, even though kids often learn more from brief interactions than extended narratives. Disney has always been lauded for teaching children to work hard for their dreams and to be kind to others, but not all their movies have such simplistic messages.

There are plenty of Disney movies which have aged poorly, with outdated stereotypes and problematic characters. In some cases, older Disney movies also have questionable moral lessons that don't hold up to scrutiny. What's more surprising is that modern Disney movies have also been criticized for their strange messaging. Movies can help shape young minds, so it's a little alarming to see some of the weird morals that Disney classics seem to offer.

Related 13 Disney Animation Characters With Surprisingly Large...
See full article at ScreenRant
  • 11/9/2024
  • by Ben Protheroe
  • ScreenRant
10 Best Daveed Diggs Movies & TV Shows, Ranked
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Daveed Diggs' diverse talents as an actor, writer, and musician contribute to his success in movies and TV shows. Diggs' sensitivity and melodic charm enhance his performances, making him a standout in roles such as Mr. Browne in Wonder and, more recently, as Sebastian the Crab in The Little Mermaid and Diggs' most remarkable and iconic role to date is his performance in Hamilton, where he originated the roles of Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson and showcased his exceptional skills as a performer.

Daveed Diggs' movies and TV shows confirm his status as one of the most exciting talents of the modern TV and film landscape. The actor first appeared on the mainstream radar in 2015, when he originated the dual roles of Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton. Diggs would go on to earn a Grammy, a Tony, and an Emmy nomination for his performance. However, as Diggs’ career has progressed,...
See full article at ScreenRant
  • 9/11/2023
  • by Seb Flatau
  • ScreenRant
Greatest Voice Acting Performances In Animated Movies
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When cinephiles debate the greatest acting performances, very rarely are voice-acting performances mentioned among live-action roles. Daniel Day-Lewis and Meryl Streep earn cinema's highest accolades for films such as There Will Be Blood and Sophie's Choice, yet Robin Williams' performance in Aladdin or Jeremy Irons' performance in The Lion King garner significantly less prestige.

Actors such as Mel Blanc and Sterling Holloway became foundational members of pop culture as a result of lending their vocal talents to animated movies. Brilliant voice-acting performances have proven to be every bit as memorable as the most distinguished live-action performances.

Related: 10 Worst Disney Movies With The Best Villains

Philip Seymour Hoffman - Mary And Max (2009)

Mary and Max is an Australian stop-motion animated comedy-drama about a man living in New York City who accidentally becomes pen pals with a young girl in Australia. Philip Seymour Hoffman stars as Max, a lonely and overweight man who experiences severe anxiety attacks.
See full article at CBR
  • 7/9/2023
  • by Vincent LoVerde
  • CBR
In Defense Of Daveed Diggs' Sebastian & Awkwafina's Scuttle
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Sebastian and Scuttle saw some divisive changes in the 2023 remake of The Little Mermaid, but many of these were justifiable. Disney's live-action remakes often invite criticism from fans who have long loved the originals. This is especially true for the classic fairytale original by Hans Christian Anderson since the 1989 animated version has been regarded as a classic for decades. Beloved characters like Scuttle and Sebastian hold an important place in the childhoods of many. Therefore, since the Little Mermaid remake changed its characters, Disney has been met with backlash.

Though the animated The Little Mermaid is full of fun colorful characters, Sebastian and Scuttle are the two that were closest to Ariel during her adventures on land. The duo was an unlikely team since the only thing they had in common was their love for the mermaid princess. Sebastian was proper, organized, and highly anxious, while Scuttle was chaotic, impulsive,...
See full article at ScreenRant
  • 5/29/2023
  • by Angel Shaw
  • ScreenRant
Disney's Long-Forgotten Direct-To-Video Little Mermaid Prequel Was Footloose Under The Sea
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Gather around, everybody, and let me tell you of a magical time. It was the turn of the century, which is really old-timey way of saying just about anytime between about 1990 and 2010, and not every movie Disney made was a gigantic and expensive exploitation of one of its most popular intellectual properties. This was a time when Disney exploited its most popular intellectual properties in smaller and more affordable ways, by making lots of straight-to-video sequels and prequels to hit films like "The Lion King," "Beauty and the Beast," and "The Little Mermaid."

Some might argue that these straight-to-video cash-ins were, you know, cash-ins. They were milking fans of these beloved theatrical releases for everything they were worth, after all, with films that didn't match the original in terms of ambition or, often, craft. But ignore these oft-forgotten films at your peril, because sometimes they were not only good, but...
See full article at Slash Film
  • 5/27/2023
  • by William Bibbiani
  • Slash Film
The Little Mermaid Is Worth Seeing Because The Singing Is Just So Incredible
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"The Little Mermaid" was a vital turning point for Disney. Released in 1989, it was the first princess story in 30 years since "Sleeping Beauty," Ariel was a rebellious heroine like no other, and composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman created a Broadway-style soundtrack. The songs have emotional depth, guide the story along, and communicate the characters' inner desires.

The incredible vocal talents of the original film made these songs treasures. Jodi Benson's sweet, crystalline voice — especially in her pivotal number "Part of Your World" — defined Ariel as an adventurous young woman and a new generation of princesses who would stop at nothing to get what they want. Samuel E. Wright's booming voice and vivacious energy are perfect for the overdramatic crustacean — especially the classic romp "Under the Sea." The dramatic, deep-throated performance of "Poor Unfortunate Souls" by Pat Carroll is delightfully wicked. These musical numbers are beloved classics,...
See full article at Slash Film
  • 5/26/2023
  • by Caroline Madden
  • Slash Film
Daveed Diggs Is No Imitation Crab: How the Tony Winner Found His Version of Sebastian in ‘The Little Mermaid’
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In 1989, the 7-year-old Daveed Diggs queued up outside Oakland’s Grand Lake Theatre, his hometown multiplex, to see “The Little Mermaid” with his father, Dountes.

“It must’ve been opening weekend. The line wrapped around the block,” Diggs recalls. “I remember loving Scuttle, thinking he was just the funniest thing I’d seen up to that point, and loving the songs.”

Thirty years later, Diggs is a Tony- and Grammy-winning actor, rapper and filmmaker, best known for “Blindspotting” (both the 2018 film and the Starz series) and “Hamilton,” where he delighted Broadway audiences by putting his unique imprint on Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette. After playing those historical figures night after night, one might imagine he’d have no qualms about taking on another well-known character — the calypso-singing crab Sebastian in Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid,” which opens on May 26.

But Diggs’ insecurities — much like Sebastian’s persistent...
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 5/25/2023
  • by Angelique Jackson
  • Variety Film + TV
Under The Sea Was The Most Complex Sequence To Film In The Little Mermaid
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In John Musker's and Ron Clements' 1989 feature film "The Little Mermaid," the title character Ariel (Jodi Benson) has fallen in love with a human, a stringently verboten act in the mer-world. She longs to attract her human paramour's attention, much to the chagrin of the crab Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright), a servant to the king, her father. In order to convince Ariel that life under the sea is better than life on dry land, Sebastian launches into a hummable (and Academy Award-winning) song called "Under the Sea." He sings about how all the nearby ocean creatures are musically gifted, can all dance, and can all play instruments. The entire vicinity breaks into music hoping to convince Ariel of her misplaced desires. While the Academy may have been convinced that "Under the Sea" was a great song, Ariel was not. She swam away to pursue the man of her dreams.
See full article at Slash Film
  • 5/23/2023
  • by Witney Seibold
  • Slash Film
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The Little Mermaid review: Halle Bailey excels in a watered-down remake
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Halle Bailey in The Little Mermaid Photo: Disney Another day, another Disney remake. The Mouse House’s decade-long trend of realizing their animated canon in live action—or whatever The Lion King was—has been commented upon ad nauseum, criticized for their revisionism of stories that didn’t need revising...
See full article at avclub.com
  • 5/22/2023
  • by Leigh Monson
  • avclub.com
The Little Mermaid review: Halle Bailey excels in a watered-down remake
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Halle Bailey in The Little MermaidPhoto: Disney

Another day, another Disney remake. The Mouse House’s decade-long trend of realizing their animated canon in live action—or whatever The Lion King was—has been commented upon ad nauseum, criticized for their revisionism of stories that didn’t need revising and...
See full article at avclub.com
  • 5/22/2023
  • by Leigh Monson
  • avclub.com
Live-Action Little Mermaid Clip Reveals Ariel & Eric's Kiss The Girl Moment
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A new clip from Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid has given viewers their first look at the film’s version of the iconic “Kiss the Girl” scene. Based on the 1989 family classic, Disney’s latest attempt at reimagining their vast animated catalog is set to star Halle Bailey as the mermaid Ariel who longs to explore the human world. Arriving in theaters on May 26, Disney has been busy ramping up promotion for the film, offering audiences multiple glimpses of the original movie’s most memorable songs.

Most recently, Disney shared a first look at The Little Mermaid remake’s version of “Kiss the Girl” during the recent MTV Movie and TV Awards, which was later shared online.

Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?...
See full article at ScreenRant
  • 5/8/2023
  • by TC Phillips
  • ScreenRant
Who Plays Sebastian In The Little Mermaid 2023
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The 2023 remake of The Little Mermaid will bring Ariel's sea creature friends to life, which means new actors will have to lend their voices to characters like Sebastian. The little red crab is among the most notable characters of the original animated The Little Mermaid and provides the lead vocals for the popular "Under the Sea" musical number. Therefore, Disney had no easy task finding talent to replace actor Samuel E. Wright. Thankfully, the cast list for the live-action remake didn't disappoint.

Sebastian is known as the anxious but proud advisor to King Triton and the court composer (a job which he takes very seriously). Throughout The Little Mermaid, the Jamaican crab had his work cut out for him keeping an eye on Princess Ariel, who was bound and determined to get into trouble. Sebastian's frustrated efforts to keep the titular little mermaid safe distinguished him as the bossy yet...
See full article at ScreenRant
  • 5/6/2023
  • by Angel Shaw
  • ScreenRant
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‘The Little Mermaid’ remake updated ‘Kiss the Girl’ lyrics to align with modern sensibilities
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Eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken is back again thanks to the live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid,” the original of which won Menken his first two Academy Awards for Best Song and Best Score. Menken not only worked on new songs for the upcoming film with Lin-Manuel Miranda but he also helped update some of the “Little Mermaid” classics to adhere to modern cultural sensibilities.

Speaking to Vanity Fair about his career, Menken said “Kiss the Girl” – one of the two original “Little Mermaid” songs to land Oscar nominations – was tweaked along with the beloved villain song “Poor Unfortunate Souls” that’s sung by the evil sea witch Ursula.

“There are some lyric changes in ‘Kiss the Girl’ because people have gotten very sensitive about the idea that [Prince Eric] would, in any way, force himself on [Ariel],” Menken said. “We have some revisions in ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’ regarding lines that...
See full article at Gold Derby
  • 4/8/2023
  • by Christopher Rosen
  • Gold Derby
The Little Mermaid Star Awkwafina Shares How She Made Scuttle Her Own
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With a high bar set by her predecessor, The Little Mermaid star Awkwafina shares how she is making her version of Scuttle her own. The upcoming film marks the latest live-action Disney remake, itself loosely based on the 19th century Danish fairy tale about the mermaid daughter of King Triton who falls in love with a human and trades her voice to a sea witch in exchange for legs in order to be part of his world. Grown-ish alum Halle Bailey is leading the cast of The Little Mermaid alongside Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, and Melissa McCarthy.

During a recent exclusive interview with Screen Rant for the horror-comedy Renfield, Awkwafina opened up about her work on the upcoming The Little Mermaid remake. When asked about how she approached voicing Ariel's iconic companion Scuttle, the star quickly noted she had no interest in trying to duplicate Buddy Hackett's "memorable" original performance,...
See full article at ScreenRant
  • 4/4/2023
  • by Grant Hermanns
  • ScreenRant
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Trailer for The Little Mermaid Debuts at Oscars: Watch
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The first trailer for Disney’s new live-action remake of The Little Mermaid has broken the surface before its splash landing in theaters on May 26th.

The new retelling of the 1989 animated classic stars Halle Bailey as Ariel against Melissa McCarthy’s tentacled antagonist, Ursula. Javier Bardem appears as Ariel’s father King Triton, while Jonah Hauer-King will serve as her on-shore love interest, Eric. Meanwhile, Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay, and Awkwafina will voice Ariel’s underwater gang as Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle, respectively.

The new live-action rendition was directed by Rob Marshall and features four new songs written by the original animated movie’s composer, Alan Menken, in a long-awaited collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The Little Mermaid arrives in theaters on May 26th. In the meantime, revisit the careers of some of the original film’s cast including the late Pat Carroll, who voiced Ursula, and Samuel E. Wright,...
See full article at Consequence - Film News
  • 3/13/2023
  • by Bryan Kress
  • Consequence - Film News
10 Ways Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' Differs From The Original Story
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Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a well-loved animated classic that graced the screen back in 1989. Starring a stellar voice cast including Jodie Benson, Samuel E. Wright, and Pat Carroll, the film is best known for its depiction of life under the sea, and of course, its catchy songs. However, The Little Mermaid viewers know today was actually an animated adaptation of a much darker version.
See full article at Collider.com
  • 10/18/2022
  • by Aleisha Brown
  • Collider.com
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Oscars 2022 ‘In Memoriam’: Winners Sidney Poitier, Olympia Dukakis, William Hurt to be honored along with who else?
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Who will be included for the special “In Memoriam” segment for Sunday night’s Oscars 2022 ceremony? For almost all other Academy Awards productions since the 1990s, producers typically select 40-50 people from the various branches. The 2021 segment had close to 100 people in a particularly fast-paced three minutes that was not very well-received since many of them were only on screen for a second or two.

SEECelebrity Deaths 2022: In Memoriam Gallery

Previous Oscar winners from acting categories passing away since last year’s late April ceremony are Olympia Dukakis, William Hurt and Sidney Poitier. Past acting nominees include Ned Beatty, Sally Kellerman and Dean Stockwell.

Almost all of the dozens on the list below were Academy members, previous nominees/winners or both.

Louie Anderson (actor)

Ed Asner (actor)

Ned Beatty (actor)

Marilyn Bergman (composer)

Val Bisoglio (actor)

Robert Blalack (visual effects)

Peter Bogdanovich (director)

David Brenner (editor)

Leslie Bricusse (composer...
See full article at Gold Derby
  • 3/24/2022
  • by Chris Beachum
  • Gold Derby
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SAG Awards 2022 In Memoriam: Sunday’s special segment will honor Sidney Poitier, Betty White, Ed Asner and who else?
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Sunday’s SAG Awards ceremony will return to its normal two-hour live format on TNT and TBS. One of the highlights each year is the special In Memoriam segment. It’s been a particularly rough year with over 100 deaths of prominent actors and actresses who were likely members of SAG/AFTRA. Show producers typically are able to include approximately 40-50 people in a tribute. The 2021 segment saluted 55 people because they had responsibility for 14 months instead of 12.

Among that group will certainly be previous SAG president Ed Asner, who was also a life achievement award recipient. That honorary award was also presented to Sidney Poitier and Betty White, who both died this past year.

SEECelebrity Deaths 2022: In Memoriam Gallery

Who else might be featured in the 2022 tribute? Look for Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis, Oscar nominees Ned Beatty, Peter Bogdanovich and Dean Stockwell, plus Emmy champs Louie Anderson, Michael Constantine, Charles Grodin,...
See full article at Gold Derby
  • 2/25/2022
  • by Chris Beachum
  • Gold Derby
Disney+ Moana Series Finds A Director
Jodi Benson at an event for The Little Mermaid (1989)
Back in the day, Walt Disney Television produced a number of shows based on their biggest animated hits. It all started with "The Little Mermaid," which was a prequel to the 1989 classic that saw many of the original voice actors reprise their roles, including as Jodi Benson and Samuel E. Wright. It even had musical numbers that were almost as memorable as the ones on the big screen.

That series was followed many others including but not limited to "The Lion King's Timon & Pumba," "The Legend of Tarzan," "The Emperor's New School," and "Aladdin," which...

The post Disney+ Moana Series Finds a Director appeared first on /Film.
See full article at Slash Film
  • 1/24/2022
  • by Ben F. Silverio
  • Slash Film
Halle Bailey
Disney’s Live-Action ‘The Little Mermaid’ Sets 2023 Release Date
Halle Bailey
Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid” will hit theaters on May 26, 2023, Disney announced on Friday.

“The Little Mermaid” is the live-action take on Disney’s 1989 animated musical classic. In addition to Halle Bailey as Ariel, it also stars Javier Bardem as King Triton, Melissa McCarthy as the wicked Ursula, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Awkwafina as Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder and Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric.

Bailey was cast to play Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” remake way back in 2019, but the film was one of many that was forced to shut down production before it could get going. It had since been filming throughout the pandemic in London.

Rob Marshall is directing “The Little Mermaid” with a script by Jane Goldman.

The original “Little Mermaid” film was released in 1989, based on the 1837 Danish fairytale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen. It was written and directed by Ron Clements and John Musker,...
See full article at The Wrap
  • 9/10/2021
  • by Beatrice Verhoeven
  • The Wrap
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‘Hamilton’ star and first-time Emmy nominee Daveed Diggs on the legacy of the acclaimed show [Exclusive Video Interview]
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“What is a legacy?” ponders Alexander Hamilton (Lin-Manuel Miranda) toward the conclusion of “Hamilton,” Miranda’s blockbuster musical. “It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.”

But a funny thing happened to the cast and crew of Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical: a filmed version of the stage production with the original cast has allowed its participants to actively watch the garden grow. Released on Disney Plus last year, “Hamilton” the movie has followed right in the footsteps of its acclaimed original production, earning awards accolades and stoking cultural conversations years after the cast took their final bows.

SEEClassic Broadway musicals on the small screen: From ‘Peter Pan’ to ‘Hamilton’

“It was such a formative part of my life and career,” freshly minted Emmy nominee Daveed Diggs tells Gold Derby about the Broadway musical. As a result, Diggs adds, having the movie version exist feels unique:...
See full article at Gold Derby
  • 8/10/2021
  • by Christopher Rosen
  • Gold Derby
Samuel E. Wright, voice of Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, dies at 74
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This one hits my childhood hard. Samuel E. Wright, the actor, and singer whose voice is known by so many of us because of his vocal talents as Sebastian the crab in The Little Mermaid has passed away at the age of 74. The news was made public by the official Facebook page for Wright's hometown of Montgomery, New York. A cause of death for Wright wasn't revealed…...
See full article at JoBlo.com
  • 5/26/2021
  • by Gaius Bolling
  • JoBlo.com
Samuel E. Wright Dies, Voice of Sebastian in The Little Mermaid Was 74
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Samuel E. Wright, the actor and singer whose voice was heard by millions as Sebastian the crab in The Little Mermaid, has passed away. The news was broken by the official Facebook page for Wright's hometown of Montgomery, New York, per TMZ. A cause of death wasn't revealed, but the Town of Montgomery honored Wright with a statement included with the post. He was 74 years old.

"Today, the Town of Montgomery mourns the loss of Sam Wright," the post read, including a photo of Samuel E. Wright with Town Supervisor Brian Maher and his brother Patrick in Walden in the 1990s. "Sam was an inspiration to us all and along with his family established the Hudson Valley Conservatory. Sam and his family have impacted countless Hudson Valley youth, always inspiring them to reach higher and dig deeper to become the best version of themselves."

The statement added: "On top of...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 5/25/2021
  • by Jeremy Dick
  • MovieWeb
Samuel E. Wright, Who Voiced Sebastian in ‘The Little Mermaid,’ Dies at 74
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Samuel E. Wright, the actor who voiced Sebastian in “The Little Mermaid,” has died. He was 74.

The news of his death was confirmed in a Facebook post on Tuesday by his hometown Montgomery, N.Y. It did not confirm his cause of death.

“Today, the Town of Montgomery mourns the loss of Sam Wright,” the post reads. “Sam was an inspiration to us all and along with his family established the Hudson Valley Conservatory. Sam and his family have impacted countless Hudson Valley youth always inspiring them to reach higher and dig deeper to become the best version of themselves. On top of his passion for the arts and his love for his family, Sam was most known for walking into a room and simply providing Pure Joy to those he interacted with. He loved to entertain, he loved to make people smile and laugh and he loved to love.
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 5/25/2021
  • by Haley Bosselman
  • Variety Film + TV
Samuel E. Wright at an event for The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008)
Samuel E Wright, Voice of Sebastian in ‘The Little Mermaid,’ Dies at 74
Samuel E. Wright at an event for The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008)
Samuel E. Wright, best known for voicing Sebastian in “The Little Mermaid,” has died at 74. Although portraying the singing lobster in the beloved 1989 Disney film was Wright’s biggest claim to fame, he also appeared in numerous television shows and theatrical productions.

Wright’s hometown of Montgomery, New York shared the sad news in a Facebook post Tuesday, highlighting the actor’s impact on the community through both his performing arts conservatory and his own jubilant personality.

“Sam and his family have impacted countless Hudson Valley youth always inspiring them to reach higher and dig deeper to become the best version of themselves,” the post said, “On top of his passion for the arts and his love for his family, Sam was most known for walking into a room and simply providing Pure Joy to those he interacted with. He loved to entertain, he loved to make people smile and...
See full article at The Wrap
  • 5/25/2021
  • by Alex Noble
  • The Wrap
Samuel E. Wright Dies: ‘The Little Mermaid’s Sebastian The Crab, Broadway’s Mufasa Was 74
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Samuel E. Wright, whose vocal portrayal of Sebastian the crab in Disney’s The Little Mermaid included the Oscar-winning “Under the Sea,” died yesterday. He was 74.

His death was announced on the Facebook page of the town of Montgomery, New York, where Wright lived. A cause of death was not specified.

“Sam was an inspiration to us all and along with his family established the Hudson Valley Conservatory,” the tribute states. “Sam and his family have impacted countless Hudson Valley youth always inspiring them to reach higher and dig deeper to become the best version of themselves. On top of his passion for the arts and his love for his family, Sam was most known for walking into a room and simply providing Pure Joy to those he interacted with. He loved to entertain, he loved to make people smile and laugh and he loved to love.”

Though known to...
See full article at Deadline Film + TV
  • 5/25/2021
  • by Greg Evans
  • Deadline Film + TV
Samuel E. Wright, Voice of Sebastian the Crab in ‘The Little Mermaid,’ Dies at 74
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Samuel E. Wright, the two-time Tony-nominated actor who provided the Trinidadian-accented voice of the fun-loving Sebastian the Crab in the 1989 film The Little Mermaid, has died. He was 74.

Wright died peacefully Monday night at his home in Walden, New York, after a three-year battle with prostate cancer, his daughter Dee told The Hollywood Reporter. “He was the brightest light,” she said.

The delightful Wright worked often on Broadway; he made his debut in 1971 in Jesus Christ Superstar, replaced Ben Vereen in the original 1972-77 production of Pippin and starred as Mufasa in The Lion King starting in 1997.

He earned his ...
See full article at The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
  • 5/25/2021
  • The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Samuel E. Wright, Voice of Sebastian the Crab in ‘The Little Mermaid,’ Dies at 74
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Samuel E. Wright, the two-time Tony-nominated actor who provided the Trinidadian-accented voice of the fun-loving Sebastian the Crab in the 1989 film The Little Mermaid, has died. He was 74.

Wright died peacefully Monday night at his home in Walden, New York, after a three-year battle with prostate cancer, his daughter Dee told The Hollywood Reporter. “He was the brightest light,” she said.

The delightful Wright worked often on Broadway; he made his debut in 1971 in Jesus Christ Superstar, replaced Ben Vereen in the original 1972-77 production of Pippin and starred as Mufasa in The Lion King starting in 1997.

He earned his ...
See full article at The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
  • 5/25/2021
  • The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney's The Little Mermaid Star Daveed Diggs Calls Sebastian the Hardest Role of His Life
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After drawing praise for his role in the stage musical Hamilton, Daveed Diggs has found himself on the fast track to success in Hollywood. The actor is already headlining his own show Snowpiercer, and is also set to voice the role of the crab Sebastian in Disney's the Little Mermaid live-action reboot. Diggs recently spoke to Collider about the preparations he is putting into playing the talking crab, which are greater than anything he has done for any other role so far.

"I worked harder on Sebastian probably than I have for any role in my life. It's tricky. I wasn't sure, and this is also true of Layton. I tend to say yes to things when I feel like I can do it, but I'm actually not sure I'm the smart choice or the person naturally who should be doing it. That's true of Sebastian, for a lot of ways that are uncomfortable.
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 1/26/2021
  • by Neeraj Chand
  • MovieWeb
Disney Fans Want Danny DeVito to Return as Phil in Hercules Remake
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A live-action remake of Disney's Hercules is officially in the works, and many fans of the animated original are calling for Danny DeVito to reprise the same role for the updated version. On Thursday, it was reported that Avengers: Endgame directors Anthony and Joe Russo were producing the planned remake, verifying the rumors that a live-action Hercules was in the early planning stages at Disney. Knowing the project is now a go, fans of DeVito have taken to social media to begin the fan campaign of having the legendary actor to play the same character he voiced in the original Hercules.

"If Danny DeVito isn't cast, then there is literally no point to watch this," one fan on Twitter says, passing along a report of the Hercules remake news. "If Danny DeVito doesn't get cast as Phil I will Riot," another post states. Another fan addresses their cynicism over seeing...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 5/1/2020
  • by Jeremy Dick
  • MovieWeb
Jodi Benson in The Little Mermaid (1989)
‘The Little Mermaid’ Turns 30: Inside the Rocky Journey to Make a Disney Classic
Jodi Benson in The Little Mermaid (1989)
“The Little Mermaid” wasn’t just an animated classic. It was a life raft of sorts for struggling Walt Disney Studios.

It’s hard to believe given how dominant Disney is today in the family entertainment space, but when the story of Ariel, a mermaid princess who just wanted to be part of Prince Eric’s world, hit theaters, the studio was in a rut. Recent animated offerings such as “The Great Mouse Detective,” “Oliver & Company” and “The Black Cauldron” had flopped or disappointed at the box office and executives were even thinking about overhauling the struggling division. But salvation arrived in the form of “The Little Mermaid,” a film that was able to recapture the magic of an earlier era of movie-making, ranking alongside classic Disney films such as “Sleeping Beauty” and “Cinderella” with its ability to make familiar fairy tales the stuff of big screen enchantment.

More important for the struggling studio,...
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 11/13/2019
  • by Mackenzie Nichols
  • Variety Film + TV
Jonah Hauer-King is Prince Eric in the live-action remake of ‘The Little Mermaid’
Virtual newcomer, Jonah Hauer-King has won the coveted role of Prince Eric in Disney’s live-action remake of ‘The Little Mermaid’.

Hauer-King steps into the role that was initially meant for Harry Styles before he decided to pass on the move.

R&b singer Halle Bailey has been cast as Ariel, whilst Javier Bardem is also on board to play the role of King Triton, the father of Ariel. Melissa McCarthy will play the role of Ariel’s evil aunt Ursula. Daveed Diggs is also on board to play Sebastian.

Mary Poppins Returns’ helmer Rob Marshall is in the director’s chair for the live-action reimagining. Disney and the production team behind it are looking to make contemporary and compelling casting choices, while still paying homage to the beloved animated original.

Also in news – Bill Murray confirmed to return for Jason Reitman’s ‘Ghostbusters’

The film will use some of...
See full article at HeyUGuys.co.uk
  • 11/13/2019
  • by Zehra Phelan
  • HeyUGuys.co.uk
The Little Mermaid Live-Action Movie Cast and Everything to Know
Joseph Baxter Nov 18, 2019

Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, starring singer Halle Bailey as Ariel, will be directed by Rob Marshall.

The Little Mermaid is coming back to theaters, this time in live-action form, as part of Disney’s deluge of live-action movie remakes of its iconic animated classics. Of course, the move is hardly the biggest surprise in the world, with the year 2019 alone yielding "A-list" releases of Dumbo, The Lion King, and Aladdin, and with Mulan set arrive in March 2020, and 101 Dalmatians prequel Cruella arriving in May 2021, giving its prolific corporate tentpole neighbors at Marvel a run for their money.

Halle Bailey will embrace life under the sea, and later on the surface, to star as Ariel. This is a major break for the singer/actress, who is part of the cast of Freeform’s Grown-ish and is one-half of the R&b act, Chloe X Halle.
See full article at Den of Geek
  • 10/9/2019
  • Den of Geek
Disney's Little Mermaid Remake Wants Hamilton Star Daveed Diggs as Sebastian
Disney's the Little Mermaid may have just found its Sebastian, as Daveed Diggs is reportedly in talks to play the role. Known primarily as the vocalist of the hip hop group Clipping, Diggs has also won both a Tony Award an a Grammy for his work in the musical Hamilton. Additionally, he has appeared in a recurring role on Black-ish and wrote and starred in the 2018 movie Blindspotting, which earned him a Best Male Lead nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards. He has also appeared in the Netflix movie Velvet Buzzsaw and has been cast as Frederick Douglass in the upcoming Showtime series The Good Lord Bird.

If cast, Daveed Diggs would join Halle x Chloe singer Halle Bailey as a part of the cast of The Little Mermaid. Other names reported to be in talks for certain roles include Melissa McCarthy as Ursula the sea-witch, Jacob Trembly as Flounder,...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 10/8/2019
  • by Jeremy Dick
  • MovieWeb
Hamilton in Hamilton (2020)
Daveed Diggs in Talks to Join Disney’s ‘Little Mermaid’ as Sebastian
Hamilton in Hamilton (2020)
Former “Hamilton” star Daveed Diggs is in talks to join Disney’s “Little Mermaid” remake as Sebastian, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

Sebastian is the crab who is King Triton’s advisor, with Javier Bardem to play the character. Sebastian’s main song is the film’s iconic “Under the Sea.” Samuel E. Wright voiced the crab in the 1989 original.

Actress and singer Halle Bailey will star as Ariel.

Rob Marshall is directing “The Little Mermaid,” which is produced by John DeLuca, Marc Platt and Lin-Manuel Miranda. David Magee (“Mary Poppins Returns”) wrote the script.

Also Read: 'Little Mermaid Live': ABC Goes 'Under the Sea' in Live Special Teaser (Video)

“The Little Mermaid” live-action remake will feature the animated classic’s original songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as new songs with music by Menken and lyrics by Miranda.

Production is expected to...
See full article at The Wrap
  • 10/8/2019
  • by Umberto Gonzalez
  • The Wrap
Little Mermaid Fans Want Original Sebastian Actor Back for Live-Action Remake
The part of Sebastian the singing crab hasn't yet been cast for Disney's upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, and some fans are hoping to see original voice actor Samuel E. Wright reprising the role. After originally lending his voice to Sebastian in the original 1989 movie, Wright would go on to play the crab repeatedly in the years ahead in various animated movie, TV, and video game projects. When we consider how James Earl Jones voiced Mufasa in both the original version and the live-action remake of The Lion King, bringing back Wright as Sebastian seems more than possible, and it appears no Disney fans will be complaining if this were to happen.

Now about three decades old, Disney's The Little Mermaid has long been one of the most beloved classic animated movies from the company. It follows a mermaid princess named Ariel and her fascination with humans who live on land.
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 7/25/2019
  • by Jeremy Dick
  • MovieWeb
Javier Bardem enters into negotiations to join ‘The Little Mermaid’
Once a ‘Bond’ Villain, Spanish actor, Javier Bardem is the latest in a line of high-profile names to be linked to Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’. The actor has entered into negotiations to join the cast as King Triton, the father of Ariel.

‘Mary Poppins Returns’ helmer Rob Marshall is in the director’s chair for the live-action re-imagining. Disney and the production team behind it are looking to make contemporary and compelling casting choices, while still paying homage to the beloved animated original.

Melissa McCarthy is currently in talks to play Ursula while Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina have already joined the cast in undisclosed roles. R&b singer Halle Bailey has been cast as Ariel. Ex-One Directioner, Harry Styles is also in talks to play Prince Eric.

The film will use some of the original songs from the 1989 animated hit as well as new ones from Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
See full article at HeyUGuys.co.uk
  • 7/18/2019
  • by Zehra Phelan
  • HeyUGuys.co.uk
Harry Styles in talks to play Prince Eric in ‘The Little Mermaid’
Harry Styles seems to have left behind his days in ‘One Direction’ in favour of the movies after getting a taster in Christopher Nolan’s ‘Dunkirk’. Styles has now entered into negotiations to play the character of Prince Eric in Disney’s live-action remake of ‘The Little Mermaid’.

‘Mary Poppins Returns’ helmer Rob Marshall is in the director’s chair for the live-action re-imagining. Disney and the production team behind it are looking to make contemporary and compelling casting choices, while still paying homage to the beloved animated original.

Melissa McCarthy is currently in talks to play Ursula while Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina have already joined the cast in undisclosed roles. R&b singer Halle Bailey has been cast as Ariel.

Also in news – Armando Iannucci’s ‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’ to open 63rd BFI London Film Festival

The film will use some of the original songs from...
See full article at HeyUGuys.co.uk
  • 7/17/2019
  • by Zehra Phelan
  • HeyUGuys.co.uk
Halle Bailey is Ariel in live-adaptation of ‘The Little Mermaid’
R&b singer Halle Bailey has been cast as Ariel in Disney’s forthcoming live-adaptation of ‘The Little Mermaid’ after an extensive search of young talent.

‘Mary Poppins Returns’ helmer Rob Marshall is in the director’s chair for the live-action reimagining. Disney and the production team behind it are looking to make contemporary and compelling casting choices, while still paying homage to the beloved animated original.

“After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role,” says Marshall.

Melissa McCarthy is currently in talks to play Ursula while Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina have already joined the cast in undisclosed roles.

Also in news – Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort and Harry Styles join the race to play Elvis in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic

The film will use...
See full article at HeyUGuys.co.uk
  • 7/4/2019
  • by Zehra Phelan
  • HeyUGuys.co.uk
Melissa McCarthy in talks to play Ursula in live-action ‘The Little Mermaid’
Melissa McCarthy has entered into early talks with Disney to star in the live-action adaptation of ‘The Little Mermaid’ as the sea witch Ursula.

‘Mary Poppins Returns’ helmer Rob Marshall is in the director’s chair for the live-action reimagining. Disney and the production team behind it are looking to make contemporary and compelling casting choices, while still paying homage to the beloved animated original.

The film will use some of the original songs from the 1989 animated hit as well as new ones from Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda is also producing the film along with Marshall, Marc Platt and John DeLuca. David Magee wrote the script.

Also in news – ‘Ghostbusters 2020’ calls on Paul Rudd to join the cast

The film tells the story of a mermaid princess named Ariel who dreams of becoming human, after falling in love with a human prince named Eric. Written and directed by Ron Clements and John Musker.
See full article at HeyUGuys.co.uk
  • 7/1/2019
  • by Zehra Phelan
  • HeyUGuys.co.uk
Poppy Drayton in The Little Mermaid (2018)
Disney's The Little Mermaid Comes to 4K Ultra HD This February Loaded with Extras
Poppy Drayton in The Little Mermaid (2018)
In honor of its 30th anniversary, two-time Academy Award-winner The Little Mermaid dives into the highly celebrated Walt Disney Signature Collection with all-new bonus features and a sing-along mode. The magical, musical tale of mermaid princess Ariel, along with loveable sidekicks Sebastian and Flounder, and the love-to-hate sea witch Ursula, is shore to make a splash with all generations when it comes home for the first time Digitally in HD, 4K Ultra HD and Movies Anywhere on Feb. 12, and on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on Feb. 26.

The Disney Signature Edition of The Little Mermaid showcases its award-winning musical score and iconic songs such as "Under the Sea" and "Part of Your World" with a sing-along mode allowing you to accompany this beloved cast of characters on their journey. Never-before-seen bonus features bring legendary composer Alan Menken and some of Disney's most recognizable leading ladies together around a piano to reminisce,...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 1/11/2019
  • by MovieWeb
  • MovieWeb
Zendaya looks set to tackle the Little Mermaid
The Greatest Showman and Spider-Man: Homecoming actress, Zendaya has reportedly been offered the lead in Disney’s Live-Action remake of The Little Mermaid.

According to That Hashtag Show, the ex-Disney star is rumoured to have been offered the role of Ariel. However, reps for both Zendaya and Disney have refused to comment.

Mary Poppins Returns director Rob Marshall is set to take the helm on the remake, with Jane Goldman penning the script. Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda will be composing the music. It is thought the film will serve as both an adaptation of the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale and the 1989 Disney animated classic.

Also in the news – Top Gun: Maverick adds Jon Hamm and Ed Harris and more to cast

The 1989 animated musical classic tells the story of Ariel, a mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human. It was written, produced, and directed by Ron Clements and John Musker,...
See full article at HeyUGuys.co.uk
  • 8/24/2018
  • by Zehra Phelan
  • HeyUGuys.co.uk
Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood movies: 15 greatest films as a director, ranked worst to best, include ‘Unforgiven,’ ‘Million Dollar Baby,’ ‘Sully’
Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood is back in the nation’s theaters once again, but you won’t see him on screen. His latest film, “The 15:17 to Paris” is a biographical suspense drama based on the 2015 terrorist attack on a Thalys train headed to Paris. Three American soldiers (Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler and Alek Skarlatos) thwarted the terrorist and were declared heroes by the French Government. In a bold move, Eastwood cast the trio of heroes to play themselves in the film, but as a director, Eastwood is no stranger to bold moves.

For over half a century Eastwood has been one of the world’s greatest movie stars. Comfortable in both westerns and contemporary roles, his measured growl of a voice has been a key part in creating such iconic characters as The Man With No Name and Dirty Harry.

SEEOscar Best Director Gallery: Every Winner In Academy Award History

However...
See full article at Gold Derby
  • 2/26/2018
  • by Tom O'Brien and Chris Beachum
  • Gold Derby
Photo Flash: Tcg Fetes War Paint Creative Team at 2017 Gala
Theatre Communications Group's Tcg 2017 Gala celebrated the War Paint creative team, and featured special performances by actor Samuel E. Wright accompanied by Michael Forman. Wright played the part of Mufasa in the original cast of The Lion King on Broadway. Original Broadway cast members John Dossett and Chris Hoch performed 'Dinosaurs' from War Paint accompanied by Paul Staroba. Scroll down for photos from the evening...
See full article at BroadwayWorld.com
  • 11/17/2017
  • by BWW News Desk
  • BroadwayWorld.com
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