Halle Bailey says her ‘independent, modern Ariel won’t just leave the ocean for a boy’

 Plenty more fish in the sea…

Disney's live-action produced remake of the classic musical fantasy is set to arrive in just two months time.

For those who haven't seen the Little Mermaid the story follows Ariel, a teenage mermaid who dreams of becoming human before falling in love with a prince called Eric.

But Bailey has hinted that her version of Ariel may have a different outlook on life to the one most people are familiar with.

"I’m really excited for my version of the film because we’ve definitely changed that perspective of just her wanting to leave the ocean for a boy," she told Edition magazine.

"It’s way bigger than that. It’s about herself, her purpose, her freedom, her life and what she wants.

"As women we are amazing, we are independent, we are modern, we are everything and above and I’m glad that Disney is updating some of those themes."

The 22-year-old's casting in the lead role prompted a number of racist trolling, with the first teaser trailer receiving over three million dislikes on YouTube which Bailey admitted left her feeling "shocked".

She added: "Seeing the world’s reaction to it was definitely a shock. But seeing all the babies’ reactions, all the brown and Black young girls, really tore me up emotionally.

"It’s honestly been such a crazy ride, and I genuinely feel shocked and honoured and grateful to be in this position. A lot of times, I have to pinch myself and be like, is this real life?"

The Little Mermaid is released in cinemas on May 26.

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