The celebrities gathered on the red carpet outside the Colosseum cinema, on the occasion of the Norwegian premiere of “The Little Mermaid”.
Most of us recognize the animated Disney film from 1989, which was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale of the same name.
Now Disney has come up with a new version of the adventure, and with them on the team they have assembled a star-studded cast list.
Among others, Melissa McCarthy (52) has the role of Ursula, while Javier Bardem (54) has the role of Ariel’s father, King Triton.
In 2019, it became known that Halle Bailey (22) had landed the role of Ariel. It created massive reactions, both positive and negative.
People asked, among other things, why Ariel is not white, as the character was in the animated film from 1989.
In an interview with Edition, Bailey said that she was shocked to see the reactions that came after she got the role.
Will show kids Disney princesses who look like them
Earlier this week, actress and writer Tinashe Williamson (38) shared a post on Instagram.
– When I grew up there was no one who looked like me who was a princess on TV, she wrote in the post.
At the same time, the author could reveal that she had a role as one of Ariel’s sisters, in the Norwegian-dubbed version of the film.
Good evening Norway meets Williamson on the red carpet, together with her daughters, Ziggy and India.
She says that “The Little Mermaid” has always been one of her favorites from Disney.
– It is very great to be here, and to be able to show my children princesses who look like them.
Williamson thinks it’s good to see that Disney is more concerned with diversity and representation.
– It is important that children see themselves represented on TV and film, she says and continues:
– When a player as big as Disney steps in and does it, it hopefully sends signals to everyone else who makes films and TV for children.
Got help from Sissel Kyrkjebø
Actor Iben Akerlie (35) says that she has been looking forward to seeing the film, and that she is looking forward to being entertained.
– I don’t think I’ve seen “The Little Mermaid” since I was little. I don’t remember exactly what happens, but it’s actually an advantage, she says.
Akerlie also points out that it is important to see more representation in the media.
– Everything from books, films, Norwegian, international – everything possible really, says the actor.
READY FOR FILM: Good evening Norway met Iben Akerlie on the red carpet, who was looking forward to seeing the new film. Photo: Good evening Norway
Program leader Desta Marie Beede (35) also made the trip to see the new Disney film.
She believes the film can contribute to more children feeling represented in the media.
– When I was little and saw “Pocahontas”, I thought “oh, there’s someone who looks like me”, she says and adds:
– I also thought it was very fun with Sissel Kyrkjebø in the animated version of “The Little Mermaid”, because she had a Bergen dialect. Then there was also someone who sounded like me. Representation in all ways is incredibly important.
Morgan Britt Knaplund (18) has the voice of Ariel in the new film adaptation. On the red carpet, she appeared together with Sissel Kyrkjebø (53), who had the voice of Ariel in the animated film from 1989.
– I have never seen the entire film in its entirety, so I think it will be very exciting and a lot of fun, says Knaplund.
At the premiere, Kyrkjebø and Knaplund sang the song “It’s my dream” together. The 18-year-old tells God kveld Norge that Kyrkjebø has been a great help during the preparations for the big day.
– We have talked a lot about what I should do and expect from the day, she says.
ARIEL: Both Morgan Britt Knaplund and Sissel Kyrkjebø have voiced Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”. Photo: Good evening Norway
