Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peek: Unveiling the Spectacular Origin of Prince Eric's New Song in The Little Mermaid

Summary

The development of Prince Eric's new song, titled "Wild Uncharted Waters," was a daunting undertaking for Lin-Manuel Miranda, as he aimed to compose a poignant ballad that would allow the character to express his profound love for Ariel.

Despite the positive reception from audiences and efforts made to develop Prince Eric's character, the movie's box office performance may hinder any plans for a sequel. It grossed just over $560 million against a production budget of $250 million.

Get an exclusive look at the creation of one of the new songs in The Little Mermaid's live-action remake, in a behind-the-scenes clip. This adaptation combines elements from Disney's acclaimed 1989 movie and Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairy tale. The story follows mermaid princess Ariel, who makes a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula to trade her voice for a pair of human legs. This is done in hopes of pursuing her love for Prince Eric and exploring the outside world. Starring Halle Bailey, The Little Mermaid received a mix of positive and negative reviews from critics, with the main source of praise directed towards its central star.

Screen Rant is excited to showcase an exclusive behind-the-scenes clip of The Little Mermaid to celebrate its video-on-demand release.

This special video includes interviews with Lin-Manuel Miranda, the lyricist and music producer, as well as composer Alan Menken. Together, they discuss the process of creating Prince Eric's new song for the film, titled "Wild Uncharted Waters". Miranda candidly shares his apprehension and the pressure to compose a powerful ballad that expresses the character's love for the iconic heroine. Additionally, viewers get a sneak peek as the two talented artists perform a short melody from the song.

How 2023's Little Mermaid Improves Prince Eric

Long before the movie's release, director Rob Marshall made a promise to enhance Prince Eric's role in the story of 2023's Little Mermaid. He aimed to move beyond the traditional "wooden, classic prince" archetype and develop a more multi-dimensional character. Star Jonah Hauer-King supported this idea by sharing insights that Eric would differ greatly from his animated counterpart. Specifically, Eric would have a motivation to explore the open seas, leading to the creation of the song "Wild Uncharted Waters." Additionally, Eric's longing for something more would align with Ariel's adventurous nature, adding complexity to their dynamic.

One of the most significant and admirable changes in The Little Mermaid remake was the transformation of Prince Eric's background. Rather than being born into royalty, he was adopted by the queen and the late king of the island kingdom where the story unfolds. Some theories speculate that his biological parents may have perished in a shipwreck similar to the one Ariel rescues him from, but the movie intentionally leaves this open to interpretation. Nevertheless, the film successfully establishes Eric as a kindred spirit to Ariel, both feeling a sense of not belonging in their respective worlds.

The Little Mermaid remake's attempts to create a more compelling Prince Eric have resonated with audiences. Fans of Disney have quickly expressed their adoration for him and Ariel on social media, proclaiming them as true soulmates and advocating for a sequel to further develop their romantic storyline. Despite hints from Marshall about potential future projects, the film was ultimately considered a disappointment at the box office. It earned just over $560 million, which falls short of its $250 million production budget. This places it as the second highest-grossing Disney remake after the Lion King remake of 2019, which amassed $260 million. Given these financial circumstances, the likelihood of a sequel seems uncertain.