The Little Mermaid Flops at Chinese Box Office Due to Controversial Casting Choices
Disney's The Little Mermaid has made its way to Chinese theaters, but reports suggest that the film's reception has been impacted by racist backlash Has this controversy really affected the movie's success?
According to reports, the latest live-action remake of Disney's The Little Mermaid has not performed well in China due to alleged racist backlash over the casting of Halle Bailey as Ariel. Despite facing criticism and targeted attacks, Bailey stars as the titular character in the film. The Hollywood Reporter states that the remake has only managed to gross $3.6 million in the 10 days since its premiere, making it the worst-performing Disney live-action remake in China. Prior to the film's release, a government-affiliated publication, The Global Times, criticized Disney and the film, accusing the studio of "forced inclusion" and calling the storytelling choices "lazy."
Has The Little Mermaid Backlash Really Hurt The Film?
The Little Mermaid had a strong start at the box office, raking in $118.8 million during the Memorial Day four-day weekend. However, the movie saw a significant drop of 56.7% in its second weekend, earning only $41.3 million. It's unclear whether the casting controversy played a role in the decline or if other factors were at play. Comparatively, Aladdin (2019) experienced a 53.2% drop in its second weekend but still managed to earn over $1 billion. Despite receiving mixed critical reviews, The Little Mermaid scored a high 94% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics lauded Halle Bailey's portrayal of Ariel, praising her undeniable charm and stunning vocal talent. Director Rob Marshall clarified that there was no skin color agenda, revealing that he was captivated by Bailey's performance at the Grammy's and was moved to tears by her audition when she sang "Part of Your World."
It remains uncertain whether the backlash towards Bailey's race was the sole reason behind The Little Mermaid's underperformance in the global market. The audience's overall resistance towards Disney's remakes could have also contributed to the film's lackluster box office performance. As the viability of the studio's live-action adaptations is being questioned, it remains to be seen if The Little Mermaid can overcome these challenges and emerge successful.
