The Little Mermaid star Jacob Tremblay defends Flounder’s controversial design change. Based on the 1989 Disney animated classic of the same name, the upcoming live-action remake stars pop star Halle Bailey as the titular character, Ariel. Wonder star Tremblay voices Flounder, a tropical fish who is Ariel’s best friend and aids her on her journey. Originally an adorable yellow and blue sea creature, the remake sees Flounder carry a slimmer, more lifelike redesign that has prompted backlash from a portion of the original’s fanbase.
In conversation with People at the movie’s premiere, Tremblay defends Flounder’s new look in The Little Mermaid remake. Tremblay reveals he initially saw Flounder’s redesign during the audition and believes the revamped appearance “works out perfectly.” Read what Tremblay says below:
“I was shown the design when I went in for the audition and I saw the movie last night and, I have to say that I think it really, really worked. I think that they were geniuses and they knew exactly what they were doing.
“And I think it works out perfectly. I think it matches everything. So if it was different, I don’t think it would really work.”
Will The Little Mermaid Be Able To Beat Early Criticisms?
With The Little Mermaid‘s upcoming release, Disney continues the trend of giving its animated films live-action remakes. The majority of the company’s latest adaptations, including Pinocchio, The Lion King, Dumbo, Aladdin, and Lady and the Tramp, have received middling reviews. However, early Little Mermaid reactions gives the remake significant promise.
Bailey and Melissa McCarthy, who plays evil sea witch Ursula, have both received praise following the movie’s Los Angeles premiere. However, The Little Mermaid will have to win over a swath of viewers who are so far put off by the visuals presented by the early marketing materials. Outside of the awkwardly realistic depictions of animals like Sebastian and Flounder, some have also knocked The Little Mermaid for lacking color and the quality of its computer-generated imagery.
The Little Mermaid is set to hit theaters May 26, and if the reactions translate into positive reviews, the film could overcome its initial controversies. It is currently projected to earn $110 million during the Memorial Day weekend. If the projections are correct, the four-day total will nearly match the original film’s complete box office haul and put it on the path to success. Once audiences get the chance to watch The Little Mermaid, the various misgivings that have cropped up may fade away.
Source: People
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This story originally appeared on Screenrant
