The Little Mermaid featurette includes new footage and a behind-the-scenes look at all the live-action magic

Disney‘s The Little Mermaid swims into theaters on May 26, and today, the studio is proud to present a behind-the-scenes look at the live-action magic that will soon bubble to the surface in cinemas. The Little Mermaid featurette takes audiences into the studio to witness Halle Bailey’s transformation into Ariel, a mermaid with big dreams of living above ocean depths. In the video, Bailey talks about growing up with Ariel and how her story inspired her and millions of other children worldwide. Bailey says Ariel’s journey is deeply personal, and she’s looking forward to putting a new spin on the classic fairy tale.

The Little Mermaid featurette also includes commentary from the film’s director, Rob Marshall, who says he wants fans to have a good experience with the new version. “I think The Little Mermaid is an iconic and powerful story,” Marshall says in the footage. “It was important to expand and make it a fuller experience.”

The Little Mermaid featurette shares new footage from the upcoming film, including an extended look at Melissa McCarthy’s villainous sea witch Ursula. “She’s so dishy and conniving,” McCarthy says about Ursula’s wicked ways.

Composer Alan Menken features in the video and talks about scoring the live-action adventure after writing music for the animated original. “The Little Mermaid is the first film I ever scored. It’s especially emotional coming back and with Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is so brilliant. The songs we’ve written expand what The Little Mermaid is.”

In Disney’s The Little Mermaid trailer, the studio takes audiences into the depths for a breathtaking look at an alien world filled with wonder, mystery, and whozits and whatzits galore.

The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to learn more about the world beyond the sea and falls for the dashing Prince Eric while visiting the surface. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She strikes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.

Written by two-time Oscar nominee David Magee, with a live-action story adaptation by Magee, Marshall, and two-time Emmy winner John DeLuca, The Little Mermaid, is inspired by the short story by Hans Christian Andersen and the Disney animated classic by Ron Clements and John Musker.

What do you think about The Little Mermaid featurette? Will you dive into a theater to see Disney’s latest live-action recreation of an animated classic? Please sound off in the comments and let us know.