Halle Bailey cast as Ariel in Little Mermaid remake

Disney cast singer Halle Bailey as Ariel in its live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid.

Director Rob Marshall announced the casting in a statement, saying he spent several months meeting with talent in search of a lead for the film.

“After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role,” he said.

The film will be the feature film debut for the 19-year-old Bailey, who is best known for performing in the R&B group Chloe x Halle with her sister Chloe Bailey. Bailey will join the cast, which already includes Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina, while Melissa McCarthy is in discussions to play the villain Ursula.

Harry Styles may portray Elvis in new biopic

Fans of Harry Styles will be delighted to know that he and Ansel Elgort and Miles Teller are among five actors who have auditioned for the role of Elvis Presley for a new biopic from director Baz Luhrmann.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Austin Butler have also tested for the role. Tom Hanks will play Presley’s manager, Col. Tom Parker.

Luhrmann is expected to decide who will portray Elvis in the coming weeks.

Styles, a former member of One Direction, made his acting debut in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk. The biopic will chronicle Presley’s rise to stardom and his relationship with Parker.

Will Smith turns into a pigeon in Spies in Disguise

Spies in Disguise has released a new trailer featuring the voices of Tom Holland and Will Smith. Holland, 23 and Smith, 50, play scientist Walter Beckett and super spy Lance Sterling in the new animated film.

The preview shows Walter (Holland) turn Lance (Smith) into a pigeon with one of his scientific experiments. The pair must team up to save the world with Lance disguised as the bird.

Spies in Disguise is inspired by Lucas Martell’s animated short film Pigeon: Impossible. The movie is directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, and co-stars Ben Mendelsohn, Karen Gillan, Rashida Jones, DJ Khaled and Masi Oka.

The movie will open in theatres on December 25.

Published in Dawn, Young World, July 20th, 2019