I’m sad to hear that the live musical production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid that was set to air on ABC this October 3rd has been canceled. It’s unclear if it’s been canceled or just postponed, but USA Today reports that the project was running into budget issues. The production was expected to use cutting edge technology to create a “never-before-seen live action/animation hybrid television experience.”
If the show had gone on, it would have combined animation from the 1999 film with live musical performances. Work had already begun on the sets required for the production and rehearsals were expected to begin shortly. However, no casting announcements had been made.
In a statement ABC said, “We are postponing the Little Mermaid Live special. We love the idea of doing a live musical and want to make it wonderful. The project is so unique that we are making best efforts to do it next year and want to give it all the attention it deserves.”
I hope it goes forward and that Disney is able to get a great line up of performers for the show. But it may be a bit redundant, which could be the real reason it was canceled.
Disney also has a movie version of The Little Mermaid, one of it’s live-action remakes, in production. It will feature additional music from Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. That project has not been canceled.
Are you sad the TV live-musical production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid was put on the back burner?
Hi! The Little Mermaid came out in 1989, not 1999. :)
Thx for catching the typo
I saw the concert at the Hollywood Bowl last summer, which I assume was the inspiration for this. I actually think they should seriously consider working with Fathom Events to bring this to movie theaters instead of doing it (at least initially) as an ABC special.
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