When Disney decided to remake 1989 classic The Little Mermaid for live action, the filmmakers had the opportunity to build on the story so beloved from the animation studio. One especially exciting element of the 2023 film, which has received early praise from fans who have screened it, is Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda coming together to give more characters songs – such as another one for Ariel, Prince Eric’s first solo, and a song for Scuttle. But, as Rob Marshall told CinemaBlend, there were plans for another fan-favorite character to have a new song, until it was cut out.
Javier Bardem has some impressive pipes on him, as last year’s Lyle, Lyle Crocodile showed audiences, and this was a fact that director Rob Marshall first learned meeting the actor over a decade ago for Nine (when he auditioned for Daniel Day-Lewis’ role in the movie musical). Here’s why Bardem’s King Triton won’t have a song in The Little Mermaid, per the filmmaker:
