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  • ‘The Toxic Avenger’ (2025) Interview: Kevin Bacon

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    2025’s ‘The Toxic Avenger’, which is a reboot of the 1984 cult classic and was directed by Macon Blair (‘Brothers’), is scheduled for release in theaters on August 29th.

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    The film stars Peter Dinklage (‘Game of Thrones’) in the title role, as well as Jacob Tremblay (‘Room’), Taylour Page (‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’), Elijah Wood (‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’), and Kevin Bacon (‘X-Men: First Class’).

    Kevin Bacon stars in 'The Toxic Avenger'.
    Kevin Bacon stars in ‘The Toxic Avenger’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with legendary actor Kevin Bacon about his work on ‘The Toxic Avenger’, the original movie and why he wanted to be involved with the reboot, his approach to playing Bob Garbinger and his relationship with his brother, working with Elijah Wood and director Macon Blair, and his own personal history with Moviefone.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video payer above to watch our interviews with Bacon, director Macon Blair, and producer Lloyd Kaufman.

    Related Article: San Diego Comic-Con 2025: ‘The Toxic Avenger’ Panel Brings Crazy Action

    Kevin Bacon as “Bob Garbinger” in the action, comedy, horror film, 'The Toxic Avenger', a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.
    Kevin Bacon as “Bob Garbinger” in the action, comedy, horror film, ‘The Toxic Avenger’, a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.

    Moviefone: To begin with, were you a fan of the original movie and why did you want to be a part of this new version?

    Kevin Bacon: I don’t know if I was not really the right age or whatever, but I didn’t really know that much about the original. But of course, I went back and not only watched the original, but also of did a Troma deep dive and really loved it. I mean, really when you think about it, it’s a combination of independent filmmaking and popcorn filmmaking. Which are two things that I really like, but a lot of times they don’t live in the same movie. You know what I mean? Because these oftentimes are Oscar contenders or dramas, that kind of stuff, and popcorn movies are big, flashy and cost a lot of money. So, to me, to hit that sweet spot is something that not a lot of people have done. That’s the thing that I really admired about the whole world of Troma and came to admire. I also knew Macon Blair but didn’t really know him personally. I knew his work and I thought that he had a good take on this. Clearly, Pete Dinklage was great. I mean, it’s a great cast so it was kind of a no brainer.

    MF: Can you talk about your approach to playing Bob Garbinger and why you decided to play him that specific way? Was that how he was described in the script, or did you find the character improvising on set?

    KB: We did do a lot of improvising, although I think that a lot of what’s in there is what Macon wrote, which is fantastic. But he is a guy that is very collaborative and very interested in improvising in terms of how Bob would be manifested in terms of the hair and the clothing and the whole thing. That was, again, ideas that we bounced back and forth. When you really get into the weeds on something like that, you forget what came from what. I would have to go back and read the script to see what was in there, but I do know that I was given free rein. Anything can happen here. So, I thought a lot about televangelists. I’ve thought about today’s billionaires who oftentimes have very larger than life characters. In the old days, the billionaires were the very quiet guys behind the closed doors and in back rooms and that’s not really the case anymore. They’re more like personalities in your face. So, to sort of embrace that and just push things as far as I could, knowing that hopefully Macon was going to protect me from embarrassing myself too much.

    Elijah Wood as “Fritz Garbinger” in the action, comedy, horror film, 'The Toxic Avenger', a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.
    Elijah Wood as “Fritz Garbinger” in the action, comedy, horror film, ‘The Toxic Avenger’, a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.

    MF: Can you talk about Bob’s relationship with his brother Fritz, and what was it like working with Elijah Wood?

    KB: I mean, I didn’t know Elijah’s whole look and everything. Of course, I had seen drawings, so I kind of knew where I was going, but to see him come out and embody that, it was so great. They’ve got this very abusive codependent relationship, but, again, just funny. And Elijah, we’d not worked together before and he was very focused, hilarious and just a lot of fun.

    MF: Can you talk about your experience working with director Macon Blair and at this point in your career, what is it like for you to work with a new generation of filmmakers?

    KB: Look, I mean, I am a huge fan of the movies and I get especially excited when I see someone who is doing something right out of the gate or in the early stages. I mean, I’ll give you an example. I saw a movie years ago called ‘Slither’ and I thought, “Wow, this is well done.” No one’s going to be walking the red carpet at the Oscars for ‘Slither’, but I can tell that this is an excellent filmmaker, and I got a chance to do James Gunn‘s next movie (‘Super’). James comes from the Troma world of very small independent productions and not completely outside of the tone of ‘Toxic Avenger’. Then the next movie James did was ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. Just recently I reached out to the guys that directed ‘Final Destination Bloodlines’ just because I want to talk to people that are making movies. I’m not dismissive of things that are the genre because I feel like there’s a lot of genius that’s kind of come out of that. I mean, in his own way (Steven) Spielberg was a genre director when he started, so that’s an exciting thing for me. I’m often hoping to get in on the ground floor with someone like James Gunn or John Watts, who I worked with on ‘Cop Car’, which was a similar situation with Macon on this film. What usually happens is they lose my number, all of them. They become much more famous and in demand than I am and then suddenly I can’t get in touch with them.

    Director Macon Blair at the San Diego Comic-Con premiere of 'The Toxic Avengers'. Photo: Cineverse.
    Director Macon Blair at the San Diego Comic-Con premiere of ‘The Toxic Avengers’. Photo: Cineverse.

    MF: Finally, Moviefone has been proud to partner with ‘The Toxic Avenger’ for this new release and explore the nostalgia of both brands. What is your history with Moviefone? Do you remember calling for showtimes back in the day?

    KB: 100%. Oh, my God, yes! Yeah, of course I called up Moviefone. It was amazing. With a little bit of work, I could probably do the voice because it was just such the classic announcer voice. “Hello, welcome to Moviefone.” Or do you want me to be Bob Garbinger? “Hello, this is Bob Garbinger. Welcome to Moviefone. Press one for ‘Toxic Avenger’.”

    MF: Just so you know, you can call 802-377-FILM now and hear Peter Dinklage as the Toxic Avenger doing the Mr. Moviefone voice.

    KB: That’s cool. I got to do that.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Toxic Avenger’?

    When a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage), is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he’s transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Now, Toxie must rise from outcast to savior, taking on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son (Jacob Tremblay), his friends, and his community. In a world where greed runs rampant… justice is best served radioactive.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Toxic Avenger’?

    • Peter Dinklage as Winston Gooze / the Toxic Avenger (voice)
    • Luisa Guerreiro as the Toxic Avenger (suit performer)
    • Jacob Tremblay as Wade Gooze
    • Taylour Paige as J.J. Doherty
    • Kevin Bacon as Bob Garbinger
    • Elijah Wood as Fritz Garbinger
    • Sarah Niles as Mayor Togar
    • Julia Davis as Kissy Sturnevan
    • Julian Kostov as Budd Berserk
    • David Yow as Guthrie Stockins
    • Macon Blair as Dennis
    • Rebecca O’Mara as Shelly Gooze
    • Jonny Coyne as Thad Barkabus
    • Jane Levy as Cheerful Insurance Representative (voice)
    Luisa Guerreiro as “Toxie” in the action, comedy, horror film, 'The Toxic Avenger,' a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.
    Luisa Guerreiro as “Toxie” in the action, comedy, horror film, ‘The Toxic Avenger,’ a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.

    List of Movies and TV Shows in ‘The Toxic Avenger’ Franchise:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Toxic Avenger’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy ‘The Toxic Avenger’ Movies On Amazon

     

  • Movie Review: ‘The Toxic Avenger’ (2025)

    Luisa Guerreiro as “Toxie” in the action, comedy, horror film, 'The Toxic Avenger,' a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.
    Luisa Guerreiro as “Toxie” in the action, comedy, horror film, ‘The Toxic Avenger,’ a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.

    Opening in theaters on August 29th is ‘The Toxic Avenger’, which is a reboot of the 1984 cult classic and was directed by Macon Blair (‘Brothers’).

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    The film stars Peter Dinklage (‘Game of Thrones’) in the title role, as well as Jacob Tremblay (‘Room’), Taylour Paige (‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’), Elijah Wood (‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’), and Kevin Bacon (‘Footloose’).

    Related Article: San Diego Comic-Con 2025: ‘The Toxic Avenger’ Panel Brings Crazy Action

    Initial Thoughts

    Peter Dinklage as “Winston Gooze” in the action, comedy, horror film, 'The Toxic Avenger', a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.
    Peter Dinklage as “Winston Gooze” in the action, comedy, horror film, ‘The Toxic Avenger’, a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.

    While it’s not going to win any Oscars, ‘The Toxic Avenger’ reboot is the best possible updated version of the 1984 cult classic. Director Macron Blair clearly understood the assignment and delivers over-the-top action, violence, and humor, but also injects the movie with an emotional core that makes you care about the characters.

    Peter Dinklage’s performance as the pre-Toxic Avenger Winston Gooze anchors the film and creates a sympathetic character for the audience to root for. His relationship with his son played by Jacob Tremblay is the emotional heart of the film, and they are joined by hilariously over-the-top performances from the film’s villains, played by Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood.

    Story and Direction

    Director Macon Blair at the San Diego Comic-Con premiere of 'The Toxic Avengers'. Photo: Cineverse.
    Director Macon Blair at the San Diego Comic-Con premiere of ‘The Toxic Avengers’. Photo: Cineverse.

    The movie begins by introducing us to Winston Gooze, a down on his luck janitor trying to raise his teenage stepson Wade (Jacob Tremblay), after his wife’s sudden death. Winston works at a factory owned by billionaire health guru Bob Garbinger, who with the help of a crime boss is manufacturing toxic beauty products. We also meet J.J. Doherty (Taylour Paige), an investigative journalist trying to expose Garbinger’s illegal practices after he had her mentor killed.

    With evidence in hand to ruin Garbinger, he sends a group of assassins led by his brother Fritz Garbinger (Elijah Wood) to kill J.J. But they mistakenly kill Gooze instead and dump his body in a pool of chemical waste, transforming him into the hero the Toxic Avenger (played by suit performer Luisa Guerreiro).

    Using his newfound powers, Winston becomes a local hero as the Toxic Avenger and tries to reconnect with Wade. But when Bob discovers his identity, he dispatches Fritz and an army of assassins to capture Wade and lure the Toxic Avenger to his death. Now, Winston must team up with J.J. to save Wade and stop Bob for good.

    Screenwriter/Director Macon Blair on the set of the action, comedy, horror film, 'The Toxic Avenger', a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.
    Screenwriter/Director Macon Blair on the set of the action, comedy, horror film, ‘The Toxic Avenger’, a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.

    Director Macon Blair, who helmed last year’s ‘Brothers’ and starred in ‘Blue Ruin’ and ‘Green Room’ is one filmmaker that you want to keep your eyes on. Blair has elevated the source material and delivered a script that while incorporating the tone, violence and humor of the original, focuses on the relationship between Winston and Wade, creating an emotional core for the film and forcing you care about what happens to these strange characters.

    Blair’s direction is also impressive, moving the camera in an interesting way, and using practical effects rather than VFX, which helps with the campy tone. Blair accomplishes his goal with ‘Toxic Avenger’, recapturing the strange tone and over-the-top gore and campiness of the original, while creating something new, with a real heart, that audiences can relate to.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) Peter Dinklage as “Winston Gooze” and Jacob Tremblay as “Wade” in the action, comedy,horror film, 'The Toxic Avenger', a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.
    (L to R) Peter Dinklage as “Winston Gooze” and Jacob Tremblay as “Wade” in the action, comedy,horror film, ‘The Toxic Avenger’, a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.

    Peter Dinklage was perfectly cast as Winston Gooze and beings so much heart and sympathy to the role. However, Dinklage’s performance as the Toxic Avenger is a voice role only, but suit performer Luisa Guerreiro does fantastic work and her performance with Dinklage’s added audio works seamlessly.

    Jacob Tremblay, who first came to fame as a child actor in films like ‘Room’ and ‘Wonder’, is now a young man and once you get over that shock, he gives a heartfelt performance as Wade. Tremblay has great chemistry with Dinklage and is at his best in their scenes together early in the film.

    Kevin Bacon as “Bob Garbinger” in the action, comedy, horror film, 'The Toxic Avenger', a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.
    Kevin Bacon as “Bob Garbinger” in the action, comedy, horror film, ‘The Toxic Avenger’, a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.

    The film’s villains are all great, including the over-the-top Kevin Bacon, who seems to be having a lot of fun chewing up the scenery. Julia Davis also gives an excellent evil performance as Bob Garbinger’s love interest and assistant, but its Elijah Wood as Fritz Garbinger that really steals the film, playing the character as a dangerous yet sympathetic villain, who is just looking for his brother’s love and approval.

    Actress Taylour Paige, last seen in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ as Eddie Murphy’s daughter, is fine in her role but ultimately not give enough to do and gets lost in the film’s shocking moments and its various over-the-top characters.

    Final Thoughts

    Elijah Wood as “Fritz Garbinger” in the action, comedy, horror film, 'The Toxic Avenger', a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.
    Elijah Wood as “Fritz Garbinger” in the action, comedy, horror film, ‘The Toxic Avenger’, a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.

    Again, while it’s not going to win any Oscars, ‘The Toxic Avenger’ is exactly what it should be, a gore-filled, campy, over-the-top remake of the original. Director Macon Blair injects the film with enough heart for the audience to truly care about the characters, and the cast is excellent, led by a commanding performance from Peter Dinklage, and wild performances from Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood. Fans of the original and the genre in general, should be very happy with the new film.

    ‘The Toxic Avenger’ (2025) receives a score of 75 out of 100.

    Luisa Guerreiro as “Toxie” in the action, comedy, horror film, 'The Toxic Avenger,' a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.
    Luisa Guerreiro as “Toxie” in the action, comedy, horror film, ‘The Toxic Avenger,’ a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.

    What is the plot of ‘The Toxic Avenger’?

    When a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage), is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he’s transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Now, Toxie must rise from outcast to savior, taking on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son (Jacob Tremblay), his friends, and his community. In a world where greed runs rampant… justice is best served radioactive.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Toxic Avenger’?

    • Peter Dinklage as Winston Gooze / the Toxic Avenger (voice)
    • Luisa Guerreiro as the Toxic Avenger (suit performer)
    • Jacob Tremblay as Wade Gooze
    • Taylour Paige as J.J. Doherty
    • Kevin Bacon as Bob Garbinger
    • Elijah Wood as Fritz Garbinger
    • Sarah Niles as Mayor Togar
    • Julia Davis as Kissy Sturnevan
    • Julian Kostov as Budd Berserk
    • David Yow as Guthrie Stockins
    • Macon Blair as Dennis
    • Rebecca O’Mara as Shelly Gooze
    • Jonny Coyne as Thad Barkabus
    • Jane Levy as Cheerful Insurance Representative (voice)
    Luisa Guerreiro as “Toxie” in the action, comedy, horror film, 'The Toxic Avenger,' a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.
    Luisa Guerreiro as “Toxie” in the action, comedy, horror film, ‘The Toxic Avenger,’ a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.

    List of Movies and TV Shows in ‘The Toxic Avenger’ Franchise:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Toxic Avenger’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy ‘The Toxic Avenger’ Movies On Amazon

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  • San Diego Comic-Con 2025: ‘The Toxic Avenger’ Panel

    (L to R) Peter Dinklage, Taylour Paige, Lloyd Kaufman, Macon Blair, Elijah Wood and Jacob Tremblay at the San Diego Comic-Con premiere of 'The Toxic Avengers'. Photo: Cineverse.
    (L to R) Peter Dinklage, Taylour Paige, Lloyd Kaufman, Macon Blair, Elijah Wood and Jacob Tremblay at the San Diego Comic-Con premiere of ‘The Toxic Avengers’. Photo: Cineverse.

    Preview:

    • ‘The Toxic Avenger’ landed at this year’s Comic-Con.
    • Director Macon Blair and star Peter Dinklage talked the movie up.
    • Fans were also treated to footage.

    It has taken a few years for the latest version of classic Troma character ‘The Toxic Avenger’ to make it to screens, but what better place than the San Diego Comic-Con for writer/director Macon Blair, star Peter Dinklage and other cast members to hype it up at a raucous panel?

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    Not appearing in person, but certainly there in spirit (and via video) was Kevin Bacon, who even broke into song at one point.

    “Stayin’ at home going to make you blue / You need the movies and the movies need you,” Bacon sang. “Down to the theater, try your luck / ‘Toxic Avenger,’ show the f**k up.”

    Related Article: Peter Dinklage is the Mutated Hero in the First Image of New ‘The Toxic Avenger’ Movie

    What’s the story of ‘The Toxic Avenger’?

    Peter Dinklage as “Toxie” in the action, comedy, horror film, 'The Toxic Avenger', a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.
    Peter Dinklage as “Toxie” in the action, comedy, horror film, ‘The Toxic Avenger’, a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.

    When a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze (Dinklage), is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he’s transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger.

    Now, Toxie must rise from outcast to savior, taking on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son, his friends, and his community. In a world where greed runs rampant… justice is best served radioactive.

    Lloyd Kaufman on ‘The Toxic Avenger’s history

    Producer Lloyd Kaufman at the San Diego Comic-Con premiere of 'The Toxic Avengers'. Photo: Cineverse.
    Producer Lloyd Kaufman at the San Diego Comic-Con premiere of ‘The Toxic Avengers’. Photo: Cineverse.

    Lloyd Kaufman, the boss of Troma studios, who created the original Toxie (for 1984’s movie), talked about the challenges of battling censors over what was allowed.

    He recalled that the MPAA forced the company to cut 20 minutes from the original. But, as he reveals:

    “Eventually, people were able to get the director’s cut with the full head-crushing.”

    That film spawned a franchise and a cult following –– and now, has led to this brand-new take, which Kaufman happily supports.

    This was his comment on the new movie:

    “It’s everything we tried and didn’t quite get there”

    ‘The Toxic Avenger’: The Director and Stars Talk

    Director Macon Blair at the San Diego Comic-Con premiere of 'The Toxic Avengers'. Photo: Cineverse.
    Director Macon Blair at the San Diego Comic-Con premiere of ‘The Toxic Avengers’. Photo: Cineverse.

    Director Macon Blair and the cast were overjoyed to be anticipating the movie’s release after worrying that it might not see screens at all.

    Blair said he wanted to capture the spirit of the original film without matching its plot beat-for-beat, so he knew the violence had to have the goopy goodness you expect but he also wanted to match what he saw as the warm-hearted nature of the first film.

    For Dinklage, his first exposure to Toxie was via a Betamax video at a friend’s house, joking that “there’s always an older brother!” He was persuaded to take on the role because of his appreciation for Blair’s filmmaking style and the environmental message of the movie.

    And he revealed that more than 70% of his performance “over 70% of my performance” is down to actor Luisa Guerreiro, who wore the full-body suit and makeup once Winston is transformed into the Toxic Avenger.

    Here’s what Dinklage had to say:

    “That was a real exercise in trust, in relinquishing something that was important to me. She does a better me than I do of me.”

    (L to R) Peter Dinklage and Elijah Wood appear in Hall H at 2025 San Diego Comic-Con for 'The Toxic Avenger'. Photo: Cineverse.
    (L to R) Peter Dinklage and Elijah Wood appear in Hall H at 2025 San Diego Comic-Con for ‘The Toxic Avenger’. Photo: Cineverse.

    Elijah Wood, a huge fan of horror –– who has starred in and produced his fair share of the genre –– plays one of the new movie’s villains.

    He admitted e loved how this ‘Toxic Avenger’ is filled to the brim with ideas and fun and playing with the medium. But he singled out the father-son story between Dinklage and Jacob Tremblay’s characters as central to the charm of the movie.

    Finally, Blair discussed what had been added to the movie since its premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023. But he had to somewhat talk around it for the family-friendly panel requirements:

    “We added really just one VFX shot. I believe this is an all-ages crowd. It involves a depiction of a body part and that’s going to be added for theatrical release. I think you’ll notice it.”

    When will ‘The Toxic Avenger’ be in theaters?

    Toxie will be creating vengeful havoc on big screens from August 29th.

    (L to R) Peter Dinklage, Taylour Paige, Elijah Wood and Jacob Tremblay at the San Diego Comic-Con premiere of 'The Toxic Avengers'. Photo: Cineverse.
    (L to R) Peter Dinklage, Taylour Paige, Elijah Wood and Jacob Tremblay at the San Diego Comic-Con premiere of ‘The Toxic Avengers’. Photo: Cineverse.

    Movies Featuring The Toxic Avenger:

    Buy The Toxic Avenger Movies and TV on Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘The Life of Chuck’

    (L to R) Annalise Basso and Tom Hiddleston in 'The Life of Chuck'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) Annalise Basso and Tom Hiddleston in ‘The Life of Chuck’. Photo: Neon.

    ‘The Life of Chuck’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.

    Opening in select theaters on June 6th before opening nationwide on June 13th is ‘The Life of Chuck’, written and directed by Mike Flanagan  and starring Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Jacob Tremblay, Annalise Basso, Carl Lumbly, Mia Sara, and Mark Hamill.

    Related Article: Tom Hiddleston Talks Stephen King Adaptation ‘The Life of Chuck’

    Initial Thoughts

    Tom Hiddleston stars in 'The Life of Chuck'. Photo: Neon.
    Tom Hiddleston stars in ‘The Life of Chuck’. Photo: Neon.

    Mike Flanagan is not only one of the premier horror auteurs of the 21st Century, with films like ‘Oculus’ and limited series like ‘Midnight Mass’ under his belt, but he also has a flourishing sub-career as Director Of Difficult Stephen King Adaptations. From ‘Gerald’s Game’ (which was mostly about a lone woman chained to a bed) to ‘Doctor Sleep’ (a sequel to both one of the most iconic horror movies of all time and the very different book it was based on) to, now, ‘The Life of Chuck,’ Flanagan keeps excelling at bringing King stories to the screen that at first seem like insurmountable cinematic challenges.

    ‘The Life of Chuck’ (which first appeared in King’s 2020 collection ‘If It Bleeds’) reads on the page like one of the author’s strangest yet sweetest stories, with events taking place in three different timelines – and possibly more than one reality – of which the connections only become apparent as the story unfolds. Its centerpiece sequence involves two strangers doing an impromptu (and spectacular) dance in the middle of one of those outdoor shopping and entertainment destinations, and its three parts are told in reverse order.

    It’s a strangely affecting story with a widescreen canvas and universal theme, and Flanagan effectively and faithfully translates it to the screen, helped by Eben Bolter’s gorgeous cinematography and moving performances from much of its cast. If some of its parts don’t work – such as an over-reliance on narration and a supernatural aspect that seems tacked on (as it did in the novella) – those are minor distractions from what is, for the most part, a compelling story that fits comfortably alongside other non-horror King adaptations like ‘Stand by Me’ and ‘The Shawshank Redemption.’

    Story and Direction

    (L to R) Director Mike Flanagan and Tom Hiddleston on the set of 'The Life of Chuck'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) Director Mike Flanagan and Tom Hiddleston on the set of ‘The Life of Chuck’. Photo: Neon.

    ‘The Life of Chuck’ begins with ‘Act III – Thanks Chuck,’ the most overtly frightening section of the film. Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Marty, a high school teacher who is trying to hold his class and life together as the world starts to literally crumble from some unexplained apocalypse. As California falls into the sea following a 9.1. earthquake, and other disasters wreak havoc worldwide (followed by the loss of the internet, which may not seem as such a bad thing), Marty and others start to see and hear strange billboards and commercials thanking someone named Charles ‘Chuck’ Krantz for a ‘wonderful 39 years’ – although who ‘Chuck’ is remains a complete mystery.

    ‘Act III’ ends with Marty and his ex-wife, an exhausted, despairing nurse named Felicia (Karen Gillan), reconnecting as events around the world grow even grimmer. It’s during the final moments of this segment that we also get our first, flickering images of Chuck (Tom Hiddleston) himself, in ways both inexplicable and melancholy. Both scenarios give way to ‘Act II – Buskers Forever,’ in which a middle-aged, suit-and-tie-wearing Chuck – an unassuming, mild-mannered accountant, as we find out from the narration provided by Nick Offerman – sits quietly on a bench at that downtown destination following a day at an out-of-town bookkeeping seminar.

    It’s on his way back to his hotel that Chuck is drawn to a busker (Taylor Gordon) who is banging out a beat on her drum kit. Something stirs within Chuck and he begins to dance – and not just a little tapping of the feet and swaying of the shoulders but a full-fledged, spectacular routine like something Fred Astaire might take on. He’s joined by Janice (Annalise Basso), a complete stranger who’s just been dumped by her boyfriend, but who finds connection with Chuck and the busker through this one random moment together.

    It’s in ‘Act I – I Contain Multitudes’ that we learn the origin of Chuck’s skills on the dance floor, as we meet a younger version of him (played primarily by Jacob Tremblay) as well as his grandfather (Mark Hamill) and grandmother (Mia Sara). The Krantz family goes through both remarkable tragedy and simple moments of happiness together – but we also learn why dancing was not in the cards for Chuck’s future and why his grandpa (or ‘zayde’) keeps the upstairs cupola in their house locked up tight.

    It’s in this third segment that the pieces of the story fully fall into place, but it’s also where the movie’s heavy emphasis on narration (as good as the wry, always slightly sardonic Offerman is) and the secret of the cupola mix unevenly with the movie’s shifting tones and a late supernatural element that seems randomly dropped into the proceedings. No spoilers here, but Flanagan’s slightly off-balance juggling of these elements slightly dilutes the film’s drive to tie together its themes and narrative into a coherent whole, leading ‘The Life of Chuck’ to wind down into a moderately affecting conclusion instead of a poignant, universal crescendo of emotion.

    Cast and Performances

    Mark Hamill in 'The Life of Chuck'. Photo: Neon.
    Mark Hamill in ‘The Life of Chuck’. Photo: Neon.

    Although the movie is called ‘The Life of Chuck’ and it’s that central image of the title character that represents the film, Charles ‘Chuck’ Krantz is very much part of an ensemble here. Tom Hiddleston makes the adult Chuck a bit of a cipher in some ways, a man who seems almost inconsequential – until he does his dazzling dance in the middle of the square. Hiddleston gives his all during this sequence (and is tremendous in it), while also showing how Chuck comes fully alive here for perhaps the one time in his adult life.

    He’s very good, but the work from Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Jacob Tremblay as the teen Chuck (and the younger actors portraying him as a little boy) hits harder. Ejiofor and Gillan are believable and poignant as two people trying to find their way back to each other with barely any time to lose, while other minor characters are given brief but textured life by veteran actors like Matthew Lillard and Carl Lumbly.

    And then there’s Mark Hamill and Mia Sara as Chuck’s zayde Albie and bubbe Sarah. The latter (of ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ fame) brings warmth and light to the role of Chuck’s grandma, while the former is equally warm but also a man living with the pain of knowledge he’s not supposed to have. Hamill – appearing in the first of two Stephen King adaptations this year (he has a quite different role in September’s ‘The Long Walk’) – is engaging and sensitive, especially in a scene where Albie, an accountant his whole life, expounds to Chuck on why math is the bedrock for everything in existence, guiding his grandson to a decision that will have repercussions for the rest of his life.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Chiwetel Ejiofor and Karen Gillan in 'The Life of Chuck'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) Chiwetel Ejiofor and Karen Gillan in ‘The Life of Chuck’. Photo: Neon.

    Stephen King has always been a deeply humanist writer, and it’s his empathy and compassion that Mike Flanagan seems drawn to and able to capture. Like predecessors such as Rob Reiner and Frank Darabont, he gets King in a way that many other filmmakers don’t. That’s why he aims for the same profundity found in earlier King classics like ‘The Shawshank Redemption,’ even if ‘The Life of Chuck’ struggles to hit the exact same high mark.

    But there’s no question that the message of this story, while in the end quite simple, is still a moving one: that every moment in a life is precious in some way, and that every life is made up of those moments, which we must recognize for what they are and hold onto. We do contain multitudes, King and Flanagan seem to say, and they’re all beautiful, rich, and worthy in some way, no matter how fleeting. In a world that seems to be coming unglued on a daily basis, that is a message worth repeating. Whether it’s Chuck’s life or yours, it’s important.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Life of Chuck’?

    Charles ‘Chuck’ Krantz (Tom Hiddleston) experiences the wonder of love, the heartbreak of loss, and the multitudes contained in all of us.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Life of Chuck’?

    • Tom Hiddleston as Charles “Chuck” Krantz
    • Jacob Tremblay as teenage Chuck
    • Chiwetel Ejiofor as Marty Anderson
    • Karen Gillan as Felicia Gordon
    • Mark Hamill as Albie Krantz
    • Annalise Basso as Janice Halliday
    • Mia Sara as Sarah Krantz
    • Matthew Lillard as Gus Wilfong
    • Carl Lumbly as Sam Yarbrough
    • Harvey Guillén as Uncle Doug
    • Nick Offerman as the Narrator
    • David Dastmalchian as a grieving father
    • Heather Langenkamp as Vera
    • Molly C. Quinn as Chuck’s mother
    • Violet McGraw as Lily
    • Hamish Linklater as US reporter
    • Carla Gugino as television voiceover
    (Left) Chiwetel Ejiofor in 'The Life of Chuck'. Photo: Neon.
    (Left) Chiwetel Ejiofor in ‘The Life of Chuck’. Photo: Neon.

    List of Mike Flanagan Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Life of Chuck’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Mike Flanagan Movies on Amazon

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  • ‘The Life of Chuck’ Interview: Tom Hiddleston

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    Opening in select theaters on June 6th before opening nationwide on June 13th is ‘The Life of Chuck’, which was written and directed by Mike Flanagan (‘Doctor Sleep‘) and based on author Stephen King’s 2020 novella of the same name.

    The film stars Tom Hiddleston (‘Loki’) in the title role, and features Chiwetel Ejiofor (‘Doctor Strange’), Karen Gillan (‘Guardians of the Galaxy’), Jacob Tremblay (‘Room’), Annalise Basso (‘Captain Fantastic’), Carl Lumbly (‘Captain America: Brave New World’), Mia Sara (‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’), and Mark Hamill (‘Star Wars’).

    Related Article: 20 Best Stephen King Movie Adaptations in Honor of ‘The Life of Chuck’

    Tom Hiddleston stars in 'The Life of Chuck'.
    Tom Hiddleston stars in ‘The Life of Chuck’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Tom Hiddleston about his work on ‘The Life of Chuck’, his first reaction to the screenplay by Mike Flanagan and the way he adapted Stephen King’s source material, and the challenges of preparing for and shooting the massive dance sequence.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Karen Gillan.

    Tom Hiddleston stars in 'The Life of Chuck'. Photo: Neon.
    Tom Hiddleston stars in ‘The Life of Chuck’. Photo: Neon.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and the way Mike Flanagan was able to adapt Stephen King’s source material?

    Tom Hiddleston: I remember it so clearly. It was Easter of 2023 and I read it in a single sitting. In the UK, the Monday after Easter is a public holiday, so it’s a day off. Bank Holiday Monday, we call it. I was so moved and inspired by what I read because initially I felt like, I was so intrigued by the first act. It felt like a film about the end of the world, but with such tenderness and such truthfulness about the uncertainty of that experience through Marty and Felicia, the characters played by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Karen Gillan. Also, because I had the letter from Mike, I knew he’d asked me to play Chuck and just like everybody else, I was like, well, who’s Chuck? Who is this guy? Then when it was revealed, what was happening, in terms of the narrative, and I don’t want to spoil too much. But when the stars started to be extinguished and I understood what that meant for Chuck’s life and how it turned into a meditation on joy and an exploration of the magic of the ordinary life of every human being, that none of us are one thing. We all contain multitudes, which is to say that inside the soul of every ordinary human being is an internal world of infinite possibility. That infinite possibility can create a universe in every life, a universe of connections, of people, of experiences, of memories. That when that life comes to an end, so does that universe. It sums up the way I think about life and that sometimes the small moments aren’t small at all, and they end up, in your mind becoming the big moments, in your memory. Really, in the last hours of our lives, all we will carry in our hearts and our minds are the people we loved, the memories we shared with them, the connections we made. That is all that matters. I was so struck by it and so moved by it and so inspired by how Mike had put the film together, and I just immediately wanted to get on the phone with him and say, please, can I do this with you? It was a very special experience and a film that’s very close to my heart.

    (L to R) Annalise Basso and Tom Hiddleston in 'The Life of Chuck'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) Annalise Basso and Tom Hiddleston in ‘The Life of Chuck’. Photo: Neon.

    MF: Finally, can you talk about rehearsing for the dance sequence and how many times did you have to shoot it to get it right?

    TH: Well, I had, in my own life, less formal dance training than Charles Krantz had. I’ve always loved dancing, but I’ve never danced like this. I had about five weeks and the brilliant, extraordinary Mandy Moore, our choreographer and her assistant, Stephanie Powell, who was working with me in London, we worked every day, and we did salsa, swing, Charleston, Bossa Nova, polka, samba, and jazz. I mean (we did) every dance under the sun, you name it. We put the thing together. It was so thrilling to do it, but by the time we got to set, I think the first four days of principal photography on the entire picture, we shot the sequence in the mall when Chuck starts dancing to the beat of those drums. It was me and Taylor Gordon on the drums and Annalise Basso. We shot it consistently across the same stretch of time so that the light matched, essentially. So, it was between about 11am and 3pm across four days. We just did it from every angle. Every camera was wide, it was high, it was dancing with us, it was Steadicam, and it was on a crane. But I will say, the very last take we did, because we’d do the whole sequence from start to finish every time, was on the fourth day, the Thursday. We went back to a setup we’d done before. It was almost an homage to the great musicals, which contained the entire thing. It wasn’t close-up; it wasn’t a mid-shot. It was both Annalise and me and the drum kit and Taylor and the crowd. We played it from start to finish. It was a moment I will never forget. It was a kind of magical take, and a lot of the sequence is from that take. Mike knew it. I knew it. Annalise knew it. The crowd knew it. Mandy knew it. It was like a perfect thing. That’s where we stopped.

    TmJtO5movvVx2ISzod9XB2

    What is the plot of ‘The Life of Chuck’?

    Charles ‘Chuck’ Krantz (Tom Hiddleston) experiences the wonder of love, the heartbreak of loss, and the multitudes contained in all of us.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Life of Chuck’?

    (L to R) Director Mike Flanagan and Tom Hiddleston on the set of 'The Life of Chuck'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) Director Mike Flanagan and Tom Hiddleston on the set of ‘The Life of Chuck’. Photo: Neon.

    List of Mike Flanagan Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Mike Flanagan Movies on Amazon

     

  • Movie Review: ‘Orion and the Dark’

    Jacob Tremblay as Orion in 'Orion and the Dark.'
    Jacob Tremblay as Orion in ‘Orion and the Dark.’ Photo: DreamWorks Animation © 2023.

    Premiering on Netflix February 2nd, ‘Orion and the Dark’ has mostly flown under the radar. The streaming service put out one trailer, and the concern was that it had ordered something it didn’t like –– in collaboration with DreamWorks Animation, no less –– and was simply dumping it on its servers in the netherworld that is early February.

    It’s a pleasant surprise, then, to learn that the movie is actually delightful, smart, ambitious and much deeper than some other animated offerings premiering on streaming services around the same time.

    Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Nimona’ 

    Is ‘Orion and the Dark’ Illuminating?

    Jacob Tremblay as Orion in 'Orion and the Dark.'
    Jacob Tremblay as Orion in ‘Orion and the Dark.’ Photo: DreamWorks Animation © 2023.

    Netflix is really finding a nice line in creative animation, and this new movie certainly fits into that category. ‘Orion and the Dark’ has a lot to offer, with an unexpected story that will entertain and inform in equal measure.

    With a compelling voice cast and some beautifully realized animated visuals, this breaks out from the pack to be one we’re happy to recommend. After all, did you really expect an animated kids’ film from Charlie Kaufman? We’re not sure we had that on our 2024 movie release bingo card.

    This is one you really wish Netflix had tried to release theatrically, as it would certainly benefit from a healthily big screen. But it still works well on smaller venues, as its power is as much in its imagination as it is the look of the movie.

    ‘Orion and the Dark’: Script and Direction

    Angela Bassett as Dreams in 'Orion and the Dark.'
    Angela Bassett as Dreams in ‘Orion and the Dark.’ Photo: DreamWorks Animation © 2023.

    Given that the movie’s script is adapted from a 2015 children’s picture book created by writer and illustrator Emma Yarlett, ‘Orion and the Dark’ has become a satisfying, charming film with unexpected layers.

    Or perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised since Charlie Kaufman was hired to write it. While it may not go to the weirdness of some of his other efforts (after all, no one needs a stop-motion sex scene in a kids’ movie). But the man who has created such unique efforts as ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ and ‘Adaptation’ here (alongside Lloyd Taylor) brings some of his incisive wit to the story of a young man who is confronted with his fears.

    Orion feels like an ideal Kaufman character; a nerdy, nervy type who has to go on a journey. But there’s more to it than that –– a narrative wrinkle sees the film as a story narrated by an older Orion to help his daughter handle her own nervousness, which allows for it to serve as a sort of meta commentary on the tale itself and storytelling in general.

    And all the characters have solid purpose beyond being window dressing –– they all have their own small story fragments and emotional grounding.

    The animated side of things, led by Sean Charmatz (who has worked as a story artist on films on the ‘Trolls’ and ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ franchises before stepping up to direct a ‘Trolls’ direct-to-video spin-off) is a thing of beauty. It might not compete with the ‘Spider-Verse’ movies, but the look of the film’s characters is smooth and quirky, at times looking like it comes straight from a child’s sketch book (which feels fitting given the source material). There are also shots of real textured beauty, such as Dark seen from above spreading a near-watercolor curtain of night across the world.

    ‘Orion and the Dark’: Performances

    Nat Faxon as Insomnia, Aparna Nancherla as Quiet, Angela Bassett as Dreams, Natasia Demetriou as Sleep and Golda Rosheuvel as Unexplained Noises in 'Orion and the Dark.'
    (L to R) Nat Faxon as Insomnia, Aparna Nancherla as Quiet, Angela Bassett as Dreams, Natasia Demetriou as Sleep and Golda Rosheuvel as Unexplained Noises in ‘Orion and the Dark.’ Photo: DreamWorks Animation © 2023.

    Paul Walter Hauser has been doing sterling work in a variety of roles both comedic and dramatic, and here he proves to be a warm, gifted voice-over performer. His Dark is a great creation –– funny yet riddled with his own neuroses and burdened with some serious light envy directed towards his opposite number (a committed, if small role for Ike Barinholtz).

    Jacob Tremblay does good work as Orion, and pairs well with Colin Hanks as his adult self, who unpacks his experience (but we won’t spoil how he fully ties in).

    Elsewhere, the rest the night creatures are fun and funny when they’re onscreen and show an inventive peek into nighttime concerns such as unexplained noises and insomnia.

    ‘Orion and the Dark’: Final Thoughts

    Jacob Tremblay as Orion in 'Orion and the Dark.'
    Jacob Tremblay as Orion in ‘Orion and the Dark.’ Photo: DreamWorks Animation © 2023.

    Feeling more like a creative Pixar effort than a pumped-out franchise entry, ‘Orion and the Dark’ certainly offers more thoughtful entertainment than the 545th example of kid-discovers-the-true-power-to-defeat-the-villain-just-needed-help-from-a-magical-mentor that is the seemingly lazy default mode of so many animated movies, no matter how much dressing they put on that particular frame.

    It’s not quite at the level of, say, last year’s ‘Nimona’ (now nominated for an Oscar), but ‘Orion and the Dark’ is certainly worth your and your family’s time.

    ‘Orion and the Dark’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the Plot of ‘Orion and the Dark’?

    Orion (Jacob Tremblay) seems a lot like your average elementary school kid –– shy, unassuming, harboring a secret crush. But underneath his seemingly normal exterior, Orion is a ball of adolescent anxiety, completely consumed by irrational fears of bees, dogs, the ocean, cell phone waves, murderous gutter clowns, even falling off a cliff. But of all his fears, the thing he’s the most afraid of is what he confronts on a nightly basis: the dark.

    So when the literal embodiment of his worst fear pays a visit, Dark (Paul Walter Hauser) whisks Orion away on a roller coaster ride around the world to prove there is nothing to be afraid of in the night. As the unlikely pair grow closer, Orion must decide if he can learn to accept the unknown –– to stop letting fear control his life and finally embrace the joy of living.

    Who Stars in ‘Orion and the Dark’?

    Golda Rosheuvel as Unexplained Noises in 'Orion and the Dark.'
    Golda Rosheuvel as Unexplained Noises in ‘Orion and the Dark.’ Photo: DreamWorks Animation © 2023.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Orion and the Dark’:

    Buy Jacob Tremblay Movies on Amazon

  • ‘The Little Mermaid’ Blu-ray Interview: Colleen Atwood

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    Available on Disney+ and Digital now and premiering on 4K, Bu-ray and DVD beginning September 19th is the live-action adaption of ‘The Little Mermaid,’ which was directed by Rob Marshall (‘Mary Poppins Returns’).

    What is the plot of ‘The Little Mermaid?’

    Ariel (Halle Bailey), the youngest daughter of the kingdom Atlantica’s ruler King Triton (Javier Bardem), is fascinated with the human world but mermaids are forbidden to explore it. After saving Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) from a shipwreck and falling in love with him, she becomes determined to be with him in the world above water. These actions lead to a confrontation with her father and an encounter with the conniving sea witch Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), making a deal with her to trade her beautiful voice for human legs so she can discover the world above water and impress Eric. However, this ultimately places her life (and her father’s crown) in jeopardy.

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    Who is in the cast of ‘The Little Mermaid?’

    Costume designer Colleen Atwood at "The Little Mermaid Enchanted Celebration" on September 15th.
    Costume designer Colleen Atwood at “The Little Mermaid Enchanted Celebration” on September 15th. Photo credit: Dan Steinberg for Walt Disney Studios.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with four-time Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood (‘Chicago,’ ‘Alice in Wonderland‘) about her work on ‘The Little Mermaid,’ her process, her longstanding working relationship with director Rob Marshall, designing the look of the mermaids, working closely with the VFX department, taking cultural inspirations for the costumes, and revisiting the animated classic, as well as a tease of the costumes she created for Tim Burton’s upcoming sequel, ‘Beetlejuice 2.’

    Costume designer Colleen Atwood at "The Little Mermaid Enchanted Celebration" on September 15th.
    Costume designer Colleen Atwood at “The Little Mermaid Enchanted Celebration” on September 15th. Photo credit: Dan Steinberg for Walt Disney Studios.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you take us behind the scenes and explain your process as a costume designer? When you come on to a project and read the script for the first time, where do you go from there?

    Colleen Atwood: Well, I read the script and I talk to the director, in this case, Rob, and we talk about what he’s seeing for the movie. In this case, because the people that were building the environment, the art department had started quite a bit before me because of the time it takes to do all that. So I met with him in LA, and we met where the art department was beginning to build the world. So we met there, and he walked me through that. Then we talked about colors and ideas, and I told him I liked the ideas of Seven Sisters from the Seventh Seas, each one having a different fish for their character. As well as all my ideas of what I was thinking with King Triton, and we just kind of walk through it. But not the entire cast at that point in history is always in place at the beginning. But we knew it was Halle Bailey, and Rob knew who he wanted for the other parts, but they weren’t in place yet. So I started with her. I started figuring out the different worlds along with the costumes, not just for the main characters, but how the costumes at the castle looked, what the reflection of the costumes in the village is, so I had an overview of the whole movie. Then as I got characters, I could dial them into it, which is a good way to work, because you know where you’re going with it, in a less kind of random matter. Rob comes from theater, so that process of preparation is something he really understands, which is so advantageous to costume.

    Cinematographer Dion Beebe, Director Rob Marshall, and Producer John DeLuca on the set of Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    (L to R) Cinematographer Dion Beebe, Director Rob Marshall, and Producer John DeLuca on the set of Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo by Giles Keyte. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: You’ve worked with director Rob Marshall before, did that make the process of working on ‘The Little Mermaid’ a little easier because you have a shorthand with him and understand his tastes and what he might want?

    CA: Yeah, there’s a lot of trust there between us. It’s fun always when you work with somebody to self-challenge, because you kind of know what they’re going to be like, and then you try to find something that you haven’t kind of plugged into before that could work too. So it’s kind of a parallel blessing, but it really is a good way to push yourself to another level as a designer, because you can get comfortable, but you want to be better. So that was kind of my challenge with him.

    Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Related Article: Halle Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King Talk Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’

    MF: Can you talk about the look of the mermaids and designing their costumes?

    CA: Well, the actual costumes themselves, as far as the undersea costumes, were virtual. So I sat with a computer artist and designed them. I did tails that were the right scale so they had reference, and I made fabrics that looked like fish scales to get the colors and the textures right. But I really sat with one guy, and he and I did it together because I don’t have the skills to do digital design. But it was a whole other world for me. Then as we got real people into the facsimiles of the costumes, because we did bits, we realized things that were challenges, like we didn’t really want to do seashell bras on real people, because it always looks kind of hanky. So we ended up figuring it out, but making the transition between skin and scale was a big deal because it can look not beautiful, so you didn’t want them to be that, you want them to be beautiful. So we came up with the little fin things that kind of transition in between to separate it, and then kind of a glow on the skin that might be a scale, but you don’t really see scales all over the body. When you do digital design with a lot of dudes, they go in the creature direction real quick. So we got some really interesting first passes on stuff, but we really dialed all that down. I really wanted to keep also the idea of sisters in mind, but they were all within a younger, more youthful point of view in how they looked and what their body shapes were and all that.

    Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: You’ve been a costume designer for almost 40 years and the industry has changed a lot over that time, particularly with technology and the way movies are made. Can you talk about how your approach to costuming has changed due to technology? Have you ever worked this closely with the VFX department on a project before?

    CA: Well, I worked with VFX fairly closely on the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ movies because they were really early days, and we had a lot of challenges. In that case, I ended up making the real costumes because they were above ground, and then making them do different things to make the head look bigger and the body smaller and things like that. So that technology has evolved in a really different way. I did the ‘Fantastic Beast’ movies, which had a lot of that in it. So I’ve been paralleling the visual effects evolution since ‘Mars Attacks!’ It’s been a long time. So I’ve been parallel learning that as I go along, and learning the tricks to make it better for costume. That’s been a really fun challenge, and it’s pretty amazing, the stuff they’ve done to make fabrics look better, because it used to be really flat, and now it has more dimension. But I made actual fish scale fabric for them to reference so I could control how that would manifest itself digitally. There’s certain shadings and surface treatments and things like that that can make it look better. I think because I have done it before and seen it, that I’ve learned a lot, and it’s a learning curve. It really is.

    Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric and Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    (L to R) Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric and Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo by Giles Keyte. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    CA: Can you talk about the cultural inspirations you used to create the costumes for the human world?

    CA: Well, it was interesting in a very tricky area. I really took the reference of the time period of the castle. The time period of the castle was set in a sort of early 1800s vaguely, but no nail down date, so I sort of plugged in to 1830-1840 when people started coming to the Caribbean that weren’t from there, to settle and build so-called castles. But the big influence for me was the shapes that came from that period, but the materials came more from the land in which we were inhabiting, which wasn’t necessarily the case in real history at all. So I departed history very quickly, because I wanted the colors to be reflective of the ocean and the environment. So the castle, for me, was like dried coral and different corals with the faded colors and the textures of corals. So I kind of used the materials of the ocean to influence the costumes in their design. The men’s costumes there, I made all out of pale textured linen. In that period, they didn’t make clothes out of that stuff. So it was really fun to make the shapes of a period but in different materials, and create your own magical world in that way that people could kind of connect with. Then the village had a really festive, under the sea kind of coral flowing colors, and that kind of life in contrast to the elitist coral castle. So that kind of was how I pulled it together.

    Scuttle (voiced by Awkwafina), Flounder (voiced by Jacob Tremblay), and Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    (L to R) Scuttle (voiced by Awkwafina), Flounder (voiced by Jacob Tremblay), and Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: Were you a fan of the original ‘The Little Mermaid,’ and did you use the animated movie as a reference for the costumes and look of the film?

    CA: I was a fan, but not like my kids were fans. I was a little bit of an older person. I wouldn’t have a ‘Little Mermaid’ wedding. But Rob’s take on things, it’s always like a different journey with him. He totally changes everything up so well. But we did want to pay homage to the known entity of a character as beloved as ‘The Little Mermaid.’ So you don’t think, “Oh, I’m going to not do ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Why do that? It’s done.” Instead, we just embraced the colors, the energy of her, the red hair, the colors of the tail the lilac bought us and all that, but reinvented it in a way that was more human, more today and kind of youthful. In doing that with the reference of all the different fishes from the seas, I was kind of playing with the culture within the fish costumes, which was limited, you could only do a certain amount because of what they were, but you could definitely give a spontaneity in the placement of where the fins were, which could kind of relate to a samba skirt, or a kimono, or whatever that was. The Indian mermaid had a one shouldered one, and the Thai mermaid had a little bit of an Asian design to her costume. So it all was sort of related, but not in a big obvious way.

    Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse in 1988's 'Beetlejuice.'
    Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse in 1988’s ‘Beetlejuice.’

    MF: Finally, I understand that you were working on ‘Beetlejuice 2’ with Tim Burton before the strikes shutdown production. Can you give us a little tease of the costumes fans can expect to see when that movie is eventually released?

    CA: Well, as always, you can’t get away from the homage to the original. So there’s that, but there’s a whole next level and layer of fun costumes that are totally not tech costumes, but real, and all the things that go with that. Low tech as opposed to high-tech. So I think It’s going to be really fun for people to see. The art’s in the movie. Tim’s an artist first and foremost, and that art is really present in this ‘Beetlejuice.’ I think people are going to love it.

    'The Little Mermaid' is available on Digital now, and will be available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD September 19th.
    ‘The Little Mermaid’ is available on Digital now, and will be available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD September 19th.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Little Mermaid:’

    Where to Watch: ‘The Little Mermaid’ Online

    Buy ‘The Little Mermaid’ Movies on Amazon

    ‘The Little Mermaid’ is produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Lucamar Productions, and Marc Platt Productions. It is set to release in theaters on May 26th, 2023.

  • First Look at New ‘The Toxic Avenger’

    Peter Dinklage in 'The Toxic Avenger.'
    Peter Dinklage in ‘The Toxic Avenger.’ Credit: Legendary Pictures.

    Peter Dinklage is probably still best known as Tyrion Lannister in TV mega-hit ‘Game of Thrones’. But he’s taken on a character that has a chance to become just as recognizable –– especially since it has cult status.

    In the first picture released by Legendary in honor of the movie’s planned debut at next month’s Fantastic Fest, we see Dinklage play ‘The Toxic Avenger,’ mop in hand.

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    What’s the story of ‘The Toxic Avenger‘?

    Exactly how the new movie will update the story remains to be seen, but the 1984 original follows struggling everyman janitor Melvin, who is pushed into a vat of toxic waste. He’s transformed into a mutant freak who must go from shunned outcast to underdog hero as he races to save his son, his friends and his community from the forces of corruption and greed.

    It’s not necessarily the sort of character and concept you might expect to enjoy evergreen status, but spoofing superhero tropes, it became a flagship brand for low budget studio Troma, spawning sequels, a stage musical, a comic and a kids’ cartoon series.

    All we really know at this point is the latest movie is a reimagining, with Dinklage’s character called Winston Gooze. That’s one to stick in the memory.

    Who else is in the new movie?

    Kevin Bacon as Fred Snr. in 'One Way.'
    Kevin Bacon as Fred Snr. in ‘One Way.’

    With Macon Blair writing and directing, the cast also includes Jacob Tremblay, Elijah Wood, Julia Davis, Taylour Paige and Kevin Bacon.

    Related Article: Peter Dinklage Joins the ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel

    Dinklage talks the character and movie

    Haley Bennett as Roxanne, and Peter Dinklage as Cyrano in Joe Wright’s 'Cyrano.'
    (L to R) Haley Bennett as Roxanne, and Peter Dinklage as Cyrano in Joe Wright’s
    ‘Cyrano,’a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Photo credit: Peter Mountain. © 2021 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Star Peter Dinklage explained to Empire in 2021 why he decided to take the role:

    “It’s a lot of fun. I just wanted to do something that I’ve never done before. So why not be a monster in an over-the-top, crazy movie? “It’s not a remake. I just like guerrilla filmmaking. Those movies –– they just made them, no matter what. They just did it because they love doing it. Some of them are not the best, but some are so much fun. When you make movies too clean, it can distance the audience. They want to feel the dirt under their fingernails. I think those Troma films definitely dipped the audience in toxic waste.”

    How can I see the movie’s debut?

    Fantastic Fest will take place in Austin, Texas on September 21st - September 28th.
    Fantastic Fest will take place in Austin, Texas on September 21st – September 28th. Photo courtesy of fantasticfest.com.

    Along with many other titles, ‘The Toxic Avenger’ will debut at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. It’ll serve as the opening night movie.

    The genre-heavy festival runs between September 21st and 28th this year and you can get badges to attend via this link.

    This new ‘The Toxic Avenger’ doesn’t yet have a theatrical release date.

    A scene from 1984's 'The Toxic Avenger.'
    A scene from 1984’s ‘The Toxic Avenger.’ Photo courtesy of Troma Entertainment.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Toxic Avenger’:

    Buy Peter Dinklage Movies On Amazon

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  • Where To Watch The Live-Action ‘The Little Mermaid’

    Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action 'The Little Mermaid,' directed by Rob Marshall.
    Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid,’ directed by Rob Marshall. Photo by Giles Keyte. © 2021 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    The classic 1989 animated feature gets a live-action adaptation in Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’, complete with a three brand-new songs. The film joins the ranks of Disney’s live-action remakes such as ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘Aladdin’, and ‘The Lion King’.

    The official synopsis for ‘The Little Mermaid’ is below:

    “The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, Ariel is a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. Longing to find out more about the world beyond the sea, Ariel visits the surface and falls for the dashing Prince Eric. Following her heart, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to experience life on land.”

    The cast of ‘The Little Mermaid’ includes Halle Bailey (‘Lemonade’) as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King (‘This Is The Night’) as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy (‘Thor: Love and Thunder’) as Ursula, Daveed Diggs (‘DC League of Super Pets’) as Sebastian, Awkwafina (‘Renfield’) as Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay (‘Good Boys’) as Flounder, Javier Bardem (‘Dune’) as King Triton, and Nomi Dumezweni (‘The Same Storm’) as Queen Selina.

    Jonah Hauer-King, Jacob Tremblay, Melissa McCarthy, Halle Bailey, Rob Marshall, Javier Bardem and Daveed Diggs attend the UK Premiere Of Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 15, 2023 in London, England.
    (L to R) Jonah Hauer-King, Jacob Tremblay, Melissa McCarthy, Halle Bailey, Rob Marshall, Javier Bardem and Daveed Diggs attend the UK Premiere Of Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 15, 2023 in London, England. Photo by StillMoving.Net for Disney.

    ‘The Little Mermaid premiered at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on May 8, 2023. The film was released domestically on May 26, 2023.

    Halle Bailey Shines As Ariel

    Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo by Giles Keyte. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    After auditioning hundreds of actors for the role of Ariel, Halle Bailey was cast in the lead role.

    Director Rob Marshall recounts her audition,

    “I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I just thought she’s so deeply connected to what she was singing about. It’s so emotional. It’s so beautiful. And I thought, [laugh] Oh my gosh, we’ve been doing this for five minutes. Have we found Ariel? And we had.”

    Landing this role was a dream come true for the actress, as Ariel was her favorite Disney princess growing up. Bailey’s powerhouse voice delivered an emotional rendition of ‘A Part Of Your World’ that brought audiences to tears. Her performance was a joy to watch as she captured the essence of Ariel – her curiosity about the human world and her drive to explore undiscovered places.

    Melissa McCarthy Is Spellbounding as Ursula

    Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Ursula the Sea Witch is a fan-favorite Disney Villain, most notable for her song ‘Poor Unfortunate Soul’. McCarthy’s performance as Ursula delighted critics and audience alike, calling her a “scene stealer”. She matched the villain’s attitude, voice, and laughter while using her comedic skills to make the role her own.

    During the filming of the movie, McCarthy confessed that her feet never touched the ground which made her performance even more impressive.

    “I slid down the clamshell occasionally, on my back, but I was never literally on my feet. We were either up in rigs or, you know, there were all different magical things. You know, if you were diving, it was one rig. If you were spinning, it was another. But no, never on the ground.”

    Related Article: ‘The Little Mermaid’ Virtual Press Conference

    New Songs For The Live-Action Adaptation

    The Little Mermaid (2023)
    Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Director Rob Marshal teams up with Award-winning composer Alan Menken, who worked on the original animated movie for the live-action adaptation to create new music for the film. Fan favorite songs such as ‘A Part of Your World’, ‘Under The Sea’, ‘Kiss The Girl’, and ‘Poor Unfortunate Soul’ all made it into the movie. A few new songs were added as well, including ‘For The First Time’, ‘Wild Uncharted Waters’ and ‘The Scuttlebutt’.

    ‘For The First Time’ is performed by Halle Bailey after she receives her legs from the sea witch Ursula. How does she sing if Ursula has taken her voice? Think of the song as an internal monologue for Ariel. She is seeing the human world for the first time, and the song is paired with a montage of Ariel experiencing brand new things in the Above World.

    ‘Wild Uncharted Waters’ is sung by Jonah Hauer-King. While Prince Eric didn’t have a song in the original animated feature, the filmmakers felt that the prince needed a moment where he can talk (or sing) about his passion to be out in on the open sea. This ballad helped flush out Eric’s story and character.

    Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo by Giles Keyte. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Finally, ‘The Scuttlebutt’ is a song that was performance by both Awkwafina and Daveed Diggs. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda (‘Hamilton’, ‘Mary Poppins Returns’), this upbeat song and rap is about Scuttle overhearing the gossip of Prince Eric’s plan to propose.

    Originally, there was a song for Javier Bardem’s King Triton as well but the song ultimately didn’t make the final cut.

    Where Can I Watch ‘The Little Mermaid’?

    Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric and Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    (L to R) Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric and Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    The film was released theatrically in the United States on May 26th, 2023 and is currently playing in theaters. Be sure to check showtimes on Moviefone. below.

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Little Mermaid’ Movie Showtimes

    Watch the official trailers for ‘The Little Mermaid’ below:

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    As this a Disney movie, it will end up on the studio’s streamer Disney+ once it’s ready for streaming. In the past, Disney has followed a 90-day theatrical window which means ‘The Little Mermaid’ may arrive on Disney+ by late August or early September.

    Where To Watch: ‘The Little Mermaid’ Online

    No official word from the studio yet about the DVD/Blu-Ray release, but it should follow the Disney+ debut.

    Buy ‘The Little Mermaid’ On Amazon

    Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Little Mermaid:’

    To watch our exclusive interviews with the cast of ‘The Little Mermaid,’ please click on the video player below.

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  • ‘The Little Mermaid’ Virtual Press Conference

    Jonah Hauer-King, Jacob Tremblay, Melissa McCarthy, Halle Bailey, Rob Marshall, Javier Bardem and Daveed Diggs attend the UK Premiere Of Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 15, 2023 in London, England.
    (L to R) Jonah Hauer-King, Jacob Tremblay, Melissa McCarthy, Halle Bailey, Rob Marshall, Javier Bardem and Daveed Diggs attend the UK Premiere Of Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 15, 2023 in London, England. Photo by StillMoving.Net for Disney.

    The upcoming ‘The Little Mermaid’ is a live-action reimagining of the original 1989 animated feature film. The Halle Bailey-led movie swims into theaters on May 23rd.

    The official synopsis for ‘The Little Mermaid’ is:

    “The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, Ariel is a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. Longing to find out more about the world beyond the sea, Ariel visits the surface and falls for the dashing Prince Eric. Following her heart, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to experience life on land.”

    The movie is directed by Rob Marshall, who has directed musical movies such as Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins Returns’, ‘Chicago’, and ‘Nine’. The film had its first premiere in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theater on May 8, 2023.

    ‘The Little Mermaid’ stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Awkwafina as Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Javier Bardem as King Triton, and Noma Dumezweni as Queen Selina.

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    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of attending the virtual press conference for ‘The Little Mermaid’. In attendance were cast members Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Javier Bardem, Noma Dumezweni, director Rob Marshall, producer John DeLuca, and Academy Award-winning composer Alan Menken.

    Here are 10 things we learned from ‘The Little Mermaid’ virtual press conference:

    1. Director Rob Marshall Cried When Halle Sang At Her Audition

    Melissa McCarthy, Halle Bailey and director Rob Marshall at the London premiere of 'The Little Mermaid.'
    (L to R) Melissa McCarthy, Halle Bailey and director Rob Marshall at the London premiere of ‘The Little Mermaid.’

    Adapting an animated classic like ‘The Little Mermaid’ is no easy task, as is finding the right actor to play Ariel. Rob Marshall and his team auditioned countless actors, but Bailey’s emotional performance stayed with him.

    Producer John DeLuca recalls the moment they heard her sing ‘A Part Of Your World’:

    John DeLuca: Well, Rob, when she first auditioned and sang the song for us, I turned to Rob and there were tears streaming down his face.

    The director elaborates more on Bailey’s audition, and how she was the very first actor they saw for the role.

    Rob Marshall: I mean, here’s the thing. The first actor we saw for this role was Halle. The first thing she did is she came in and sang for us. And she sang that song. She shut her eyes and started to sing the song. And I thought, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I just thought she’s so deeply connected to what she was singing about. It’s so emotional. It’s so beautiful. And I thought, [laugh] Oh my gosh, we’ve been doing this for five minutes. Have we found Ariel? And we had.”

    Even though Marshall and his team saw tons of actors for the role after Bailey, that was the moment that she landed the role of Ariel,

    Rob Marshall: But then we saw hundreds of other actors after that, and Halle kept coming back in. And we saw every ethnicity. We saw everybody. And she claimed the role for hers. That’s what happened.

    2. ‘Under The Sea’ Was The Most Complex Number To Shoot

    Halle Bailey as Ariel, Sebastian (voiced by Daveed Diggs), and Scuttle (voiced by Awkwafina) in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    (L to R) Halle Bailey as Ariel, Sebastian (voiced by Daveed Diggs), and Scuttle (voiced by Awkwafina) in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    The award-winning song ‘Under The Sea’ is certainly the one fans will be looking forward to in the live-action adaptation. The upbeat Caribbean-inspired song sang by Sebastian, who is trying desperately to convince the land-curious mermaid how lively the sea is, filled with colorful sea creatures dancing to the tune.

    Producer John DeLuca says this was the most complex number to shoot in the movie.

    John DeLuca: And to conceive and shoot. And just, to have an idea of what we’re gonna do, and then how we were gonna do it. The logistics of that. I remember Rob and I kind of put it aside for a long time.

    Rob Marshall: I know, it was so daunting. Because there’s one live actor. One live actor in this massive production number.

    Marshall really wanted Ariel to sing in ‘Under The Sea’ and composer Alan Menken came up with the changes on the spot.

    Alan Menken: Always at the spur of the moment.

    Rob Marshall: Yes, that was the best. I mean, you know, we said, “Alan, we really need her to sing,” and he went into the piano and said, “How about this,” and, “How about this,” and – we tried it on Halle.

    Alan Menken: It’s what I do. It’s what I live for.

    3. The Cast Got To Record Together And In Person For The Movie

    Scuttle (voiced by Awkwafina), Flounder (voiced by Jacob Tremblay), and Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    (L to R) Scuttle (voiced by Awkwafina), Flounder (voiced by Jacob Tremblay), and Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Jacob Tremblay, who voiced Flounder, talks about being able to rehearse with the cast prior to recording, and how recording in person made a difference for the voice work.

    Jacob Tremblay: We were all together for quite some time in the studio in England. And we just got to know each other so well. And that definitely really helped with the voice work. Because I preferred it so much better than kind of being in a booth and especially ’cause of Covid. It would usually be on Zoom, but it was definitely a privilege that we all got to be together and we got to, you know, do our scenes together.

    Awkwafina (who voiced Scuttle) chimes in about her experience working on the film

    Awkwafina: I mean, definitely for me the first time I’ve ever read a scene with other actors. Usually, you know, you’re in the booth and a lot of the time the other actors are, you know, like the directors just read them with you. But we were all able to do it and yeah. It just all happened there. And there were other people in the room too. It was like pretty crazy. And that one day is where most of our performances came from.

    4. Cast Says The Rehearsal Process Was Very Different Than Anything They’ve Done Before

    Cinematographer Dion Beebe, Director Rob Marshall, and Producer John DeLuca on the set of Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    (L to R) Cinematographer Dion Beebe, Director Rob Marshall, and Producer John DeLuca on the set of Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo by Giles Keyte. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Rob Marshall approached the movie from a theater point-of-view and the rehearsal process was important to the director. The cast mentioned that the process was so different from what they usually know in films.

    Rob Marshall: I think it’s something I always do. I mean, you know, obviously I come from the theater. We all (referring to John DeLuca and Alan Menken) come from the theater. So there’s a process that I think you have to do. Musicals are kind of a hybrid in a funny way. Movie musicals are a hybrid of theater and film. Because you have to, you know, you can’t just walk in and start singing. You have to learn. Or the choreography. It’s like all part of it. I mean, I always feel that my job as a director is to protect the actors. Make them feel safe in a space where they can screw up and be terrible, and then get better. And not feel judged. I mean, that to me is the most important part of it. And so, it does feel small. It feels intimate. Because you’re creating. And you know what, film is very intimate.

    5. Melissa McCarthy’s Feet Never Touched The Ground During Filming

    Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Playing the sea witch Ursula had Melissa McCarthy spending most of her time on wires or a rig for the duration of filming.

    Melissa McCarthy: I slid down the clamshell occasionally, on my back, but I was never literally on my feet. We were either up in rigs or, you know, there were all different magical things. You know, if you were diving, it was one rig. If you were spinning, it was another. But no, never on the ground.

    Rob Marshall and John DeLuca remember back to this, and the massive team of stunt people who helped make this happen.

    John DeLuca: Because then we would have to teach all the stunt people, the 10 to 20 stunt people that would take them through on these apparatus, and they had to know every line, every breath.

    Rob Marshall: I mean, sometimes I would say, “action,” [the actor] would say two lines. And I’d say, “cut,” and then we’d put them on another apparatus, put them on wires or something and then go, “Action.” And then, one line, cut. Like, literally, it was like a mosaic.

    6. Halle Bailey Talks How Playing Ariel Helped Her Find Herself

    Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action 'The Little Mermaid,' directed by Rob Marshall.
    Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid,’ directed by Rob Marshall. Photo by Giles Keyte. © 2021 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Related Article: Halle Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King Talk Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’

    The actress opens up on playing her favorite childhood Disney Princess, and how the character inspires her in real life.

    Halle Bailey: I tell people all the time I feel like Ariel truly has helped me find myself and like this young woman version of me, you know, because I, well, it’s been five years of my life now. From 18 to now being 23, so those are like, very intense like transformative years as you’re developing as a young woman. But I feel like especially these themes of the film and what she had to go through with her passions and drive, and speaking up for herself, and even though it
    may be scary, she went for it. I feel like those things I really try to adopt and give to Halle now. So, she’s taught me so much, for sure.

    7. New Songs For The Live-Action Adaptation

    Alan Menken attends the UK Premiere Of Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 15, 2023 in London, England.
    Alan Menken attends the UK Premiere Of Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 15, 2023 in London, England. Photo by StillMoving.Net for Disney.

    Composer Alan Menken talks about creating new songs and finding the right place for them in the film.

    Alan Menken: It’s a group process. Rob and John, David Magee, Lin-Manuel Miranda and me got together. Like first at your apartment, then at my studio. And we went through how the story’s being adapted by David, and how the structure is. And then where are the potential spots? So it’s simply as simple as that. And those decisions are made, first of all, by character, by moment, but also by sequence of a score, and what’s needed at a certain moment. So we chose the moment when Prince Eric, he’s been told, “Don’t go back out there, you can’t,” and he just thinks about this girl. And it’s a love song to her, and it’s a love song to the sea. And to his uncharted waters. So his life is ahead of him. So it ends up being a real important theme throughout the movie.

    The composer talks more about collaborating with Lin-Manuel Miranda.

    Alan Menken: Then we had the first time she’s on land. And was so much fun, because I gave Lin a very sort of lilting tune and he said, “Can we give a kind of a bap-a-bap, mm-bop-bop.” So it’s a three-against-two kind of feel. Said, “Okay, let’s do that,” and then boom, the song where she’s so excited, everything is so new and so wonderful. And then [Prince Eric] doesn’t think it’s the girl when he realizes she can’t speak. And then she’s so, for the first time, heartbroken. And then the Scuttlebutt, which is just, that’s a surprise gift of him, ’cause I gave him this Caribbean tune. And Lin sort of did a rap over it that was so perfect. Used the music, but it had this rhythmic pulse to it. It was just pure Lin-Manuel Miranda.

    8. Javier Bardem Originally Had A Song In The Film

    Halle Bailey as Ariel and Javier Bardem as King Triton in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    (L to R) Halle Bailey as Ariel and Javier Bardem as King Triton in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    A few members of the cast acknowledge that they don’t see themselves as singers but working with Rob Marshall and Alan Menken brought out the musicality in them, including Javier Bardem. Unfortunately, the song didn’t make it to the final version of the film.

    Alan Menken: Javier sang a song that, it happens all the time in musicals, we didn’t need that particular spot for the film.

    9. Daveed Diggs Says This Is The Coolest Thing He’s Ever Been A Part Of

    Daveed Diggs attends the UK Premiere Of Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 15, 2023 in London, England.
    Daveed Diggs attends the UK Premiere Of Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 15, 2023 in London, England. Photo by StillMoving.Net for Disney.

    The actor, widely known for his role as Marquis La Lafyette in Broadway’s ‘Hamilton’ talks about his experience in making ‘The Little Mermaid’, and seeing it premiere on the big screen.

    Daveed Diggs: We worked on it like it was a small thing. At least in that work session, it really felt like we were kind of doing, like, community theater. We were pushing boxes around, like, to make sets, you know what I’m saying? And we got in this groove where it was, like, that’s how you make art. We made something that we understood, that everybody could wrap their arms around, and that we really believed in and knew inside and out. And then so to show up when they’re shutting down the street and, like, the posters are huge, and then you watch the film and it’s massive, on this massive screen, and the world, it’s a whole world that I never saw at all, you know what I’m saying?

    10. Jonah-Hauer King Talks His Favorite New Addition To The Original Story

    Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo by Giles Keyte. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    The romance between Ariel and Prince Eric is an iconic one. Jonah-Hauer King talks about his favorite new additions to their love story.

    Jonah Hauer-King: Friendship, I think. Disney romances are always, you know, they’re filled with that instinctive attraction to one another. We all wanna see that. But I think what was fun about this, and I think a lot of it came from our off-screen selves as well, was looking at Ariel and Eric as two people who were kindred spirits who felt a little bit restless, who felt like they were behind the four walls of their respective castles, and were very much looking outwards and not in. And I think what was nice about that was that it meant that their relationship feels really earnd. They both felt like they were teaching each other things. They were excited and fascinated by each other’s worlds although they didn’t actually know it until the end.

    He elaborates more on the love story:

    Jonah Hauer-King: I think it’s a really good message for what it means to be in love and what it means to be in a relationship is ultimately tied to friendship. That’s the fundamental thing of it. And that’s why it lasts, and that’s what makes it special. So, that was really fun to explore and it was easy ’cause, you know, [Halle’s] a riot, so we kinda got on fine.

    ‘The Little Mermaid’ will swim into in theaters on May 26, 2023.

    Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney's live-action 'The Little Mermaid.'
    Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Photo by Giles Keyte. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Little Mermaid:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Little Mermaid’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy ‘The Little Mermaid’ Movies on Amazon

    ‘The Little Mermaid’ is produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Lucamar Productions, and Marc Platt Productions. It is set to release in theaters on May 26th, 2023.