Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid is getting closer and closer to its release date, and fans of the original movie musical have a lot to look forward to. The reimagining has an all-star cast and seems to be bringing some of fans' favorite moments from the animated classic to stunning life. One of the most anticipated elements of the musical is Halle Bailey, who is making her leading film role debut as Ariel. Now, director Rob Marshall is getting candid about Bailey being the first actress to audition for the role.
Rob Marshall, who also directed musicals like Chicago and Into the Woods, chatted with British Vogue about what made Halle Bailey the perfect fit for Ariel. He revealed that the singer first caught his eye when he saw her perform at the 2019 Grammy Awards, and there were a few key aspects of that public appearance that made him sure that she was his titular mermaid. He explained:
