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Disney sure knows how to rock the boat…
Since the release of Cinderella in 2015, Walt Disney Studios has brought to the big screen live-action remakes of its most iconic princess films — though a case can be made for 2014’s Maleficent considering its inclusion of Sleeping Beauty. These add to a list of Disney classics now gracing theaters in live-action form, including The Jungle Book, Dumbo, and upcoming film The Lion King. Apart from Aladdin, which features Princess Jasmine, reviews have been generally positive. Thus far, audiences have seen Lily James portray Ella in Cinderella, Emma Watson as Belle in Beauty and the Beast, and most recently Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine.
Arguably, those casted for each iconic role resemble their animated counterparts, though Disney’s take on Aladdin, set in the Middle East, received its fair share of criticism since Scott is fairer skinned due to her being half White/European. However, with Disney’s recent announcement that African American actress and singer Halle Bailey will star as Princess Ariel in the live-action remake of 1989 film The Little Mermaid, many — largely White — Disney fans immediately protested.
Ebb and Flow
