In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Jonah Hauer-King, who played Ariel’s love interest Eric opposite Halle Bailey in the 2023 live-action remake, said he’s completely open to coming back for a sequel. His response was simple and enthusiastic:
“I love Halle so much. She’s still a very dear friend. I had a great time in that film. If you’re up for it, I’m down.”
He even talked through the plot of the original The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, where Ariel and Eric have a daughter and the story essentially reverses the original, this time with Ariel trying to protect her child from the ocean rather than longing to be part of it.
Where Things Stand
Disney has not greenlit a sequel, and given the mixed financial results of the first film, it brought in $569.6 million worldwide but reportedly resulted in a $5 million loss after its $200 million budget and other costs; the studio may be cautious. The animated Little Mermaid II from 2000 wasn’t exactly beloved either, which adds another layer of uncertainty.
That said, there’s real enthusiasm from the people who made the first one. Director Rob Marshall, Halle Bailey, and now Jonah Hauer-King have all expressed interest in returning. That’s a good sign for fans hoping the story isn’t over.
Disney’s Live Action Pipeline Is Busy
Disney has plenty of live action remakes in the works regardless. Tangled is set for March 31, 2028, and Lilo and Stitch 2 follows on May 26, 2028. A Gaston spinoff from Beauty and the Beast, a Cinderella spinoff called Stepsisters, and a live action Princess Tiana film inspired by The Princess and the Frog are also reportedly in development, though none have official release dates yet.
Whether or not The Little Mermaid sequel ever happens, it’s clear that both stars have nothing but warm feelings about the first film — and that the door is wide open if Disney decides to dive back in.
Would you want to see a live action Little Mermaid 2? Let us know in the comments!
You May Also Enjoy: New Set Photos from the Live Action ‘Tangled’
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