Disney’s anticipated live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid” will not only have a more diverse cast, the soundtrack will have updated lyrics.
According to composer Alan Menken, who created the music for the original 1989 movie, the new film will feature lyrics to include consent.
The beloved songs “Kiss the Girl” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls” will be edited to reflect the cultural shift of modern times.
“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],” the Oscar winner said in a recent Vanity Fair interview.
During the original “Kiss the Girl” scene, Prince Eric is encouraged to kiss Ariel, who has no voice at the time.
Meanwhile, “Poor Unfortunate Souls” has a line in which Ursula says: “The men up there don’t like a lot of blabber, they think a girl who gossips is a bore, yet on land, it’s much preferred for ladies not to say a word.”
Of that, Menken added: “We have some revisions in ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’ regarding lines that might make young girls somehow feel that they shouldn’t speak out of turn, even though Ursula is clearly manipulating Ariel to give up her voice.”
The new lyrics to the songs have not yet been revealed but Menken teamed up with “Hamilton” mastermind Lin-Manuel Miranda for the live-action remake, set to hit movie theaters Memorial Day weekend.
Directed by Rob Marshall, “The Little Mermaid” stars “Grown-ish” actress and singer Halle Bailey as Ariel. “Mike & Molly” star Melissa McCarthy portrays villainous sea witch Ursula, while Oscar winner Javier Bardem plays King Triton.
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