It seems that the criticisms towards Halle Bailey and her upcoming movie The Little Mermaid won’t stop anytime soon. The actress is meant to play the role of Ariel, Disney’s redhead mermaid who falls in love with a human.
Many fans, as well as celebrities, are expressing their excitement about the film and Bailey’s casting. However, there are still trolls who would, with their whole chests, question the decision of making Ariel a Black mermaid when she is ‘supposed to be’ a White character.
Bashers Are Still Upset Over The Little Mermaid’s Casting
Of course, these comments really did sting a lot. For someone who loved watching The Little Mermaid growing up, working on her musical career, and carving her own path in a world where everyone favors the fair-skinned, Bailey needed all the support she could get.
The actress was 18 when she auditioned for the role, and the nasty comments never stopped even when the production was over. She ponders how this experience was life-changing for her. In an interview with Variety, she said, “I find myself learning things from these characters and trying to adopt them and keep them with me as I go about my life. It’s like the universe is trying to give these themes to me, like ‘Here, do it! We’re putting it in through the characters.”
While the cast and crew have been praising her performance in The Little Mermaid, many haters would still stand by their opinions and post #NotMyAriel all over social media. Now, fans have another way of supporting Black actors as they campaign for Idris Elba to take the lead role in the upcoming James Bond movie.
RELATED: This Is How The Little Mermaid Will Set Things Right Amid Disney Live-Action Criticisms
Fans Want Idris Elba To Play James Bond
Elba has been a strong contender for the 007 role, alongside other hopefuls such as Henry Cavill and Tom Hardy. In fact, Skyfall actress Naomie Harris mentioned in an interview with Huffington Post that Elba met with producer Barbara Broccoli and that she supports him for the role:
“I didn’t realize that there was this talk and then I did a film with Idris and he said that he met Barbara Broccoli and that it does seem like there is a possibility in the future that there could very well be a black James Bond. And I would have to vote for Idris because I just finished working with him and he’s a great guy.”
Fans all over Twitter are sharing their sentiments and support for Idris Elba to star as the next James Bond. Here are some of the best tweets:
The fact that the James bond franchise just recasts the main character and acts like nothing ever happened is a testiment to it's greatness
— Ben(SLK fan club president)🇲🇼🇲🇼🇲🇼🇲🇼🇲🇼 (@knoxben1) September 20, 2022
For all you snowflakes losing your minds over a black mermaid, meet the new James Bond. pic.twitter.com/oTNL5WezV8
— Mohamad Safa (@mhdksafa) September 20, 2022
Bond…James Bond! Idris Elba is a beast! No one else could fill those shoes! pic.twitter.com/v2vJWJ2JwB
— Tom_Tomas (@mozy_tomasino) September 20, 2022
I don’t know if there really are people who are a spun up about animated mythical characters of color or if that’s just media hype, but I do know if I could look exactly like a famous person, it would @idriselba. That dude looks like he invented handsome. #imjustsaying pic.twitter.com/Rpakxpxy59
— Darin Stevens Papa_WAHOO! (@Darin_Stevens) September 21, 2022
I don’t need tasters. Is he or isn’t it!! Who made this to blow my mind! #idriselba #jamesbond pic.twitter.com/RB8WN0W5Bq
— M A R T I N A (@JohnnyDeppxxxxx) September 21, 2022
Although the actor has declined the role and said, “It is not a goal for my career,” (via Deadline), fans are still putting their hopes up and wishing he will become the first Black actor to play the iconic spy agent.
RELATED: Why Disney’s The Little Mermaid Is One Of The Most Unintentionally Regressive Movies Ever Made
