Movies
Which original songs won’t be in ‘The Little Mermaid’ live-action?
There are two songs from the original movie that won’t make it into the live-action adaptation.
Legendary composer Alan Menken has created songs and scores for a myriad of Disney films, including ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘Aladdin’, ‘Tangled’, ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ and ‘The Little Mermaid’ among others.
Menken returns to compose the score for the live-action adaptation of ‘The Little Mermaid’ alongside Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda. While Menken and Miranda ensured fans that the remake will mostly stay true to the original animated movie, there are two songs that didn’t make the cut: ‘Daughters of Triton’ and ‘Les Poissons’.
Why were these songs cut?
‘Daughters of Triton’ is played at the beginning of the movie and introduces the daughters of Triton, except for Ariel, who fails to show up for the song.
Menken stated that the reason was to create a better buildup to ‘Part of Your World’, Ariel’s signature song.
“I think the thought process was a) we didn’t need it in this particular version,” Menken said.
“And we definitely wanted the film to start with a much more of a live-action feel of the ocean and meeting Ariel, and then we wait a little bit, make you wait until we get to ‘Part of Your World.’”
“And I think that was, you know, it was an amazing choice because it just builds the power and anticipation,” he continued.
“And part of that is also knowing you’re adapting something that’s already beloved. So you want to say, ‘Wait for it, wait for it, wait for it — and here it is.’ And when it comes, God.”
‘Les Poissons’ is played while Sebastian the crab is chased around the kitchen by Chef Louie. It’s unknown why this song was cut.
However, the movie will feature three new songs.
Ariel’s sisters will still get the spotlight
Despite the removal of ‘Daughters of Triton’, it’s reported that Ariel’s sisters will get more screen time in the live-action adaptation compared to the original 1989 film, where audiences learn very little about them.
The cast for Ariel’s sisters include Lorena Andrea as Perla, Simone Ashley as Indira, Kajsa Mohammar as Karina, Nathalie Sorrell as Caspia, Karolina Conchet as Mala, and Sienna King as Tamika.