'Like passing the torch': OG 'Little Mermaid' star Jodi Benson thrilled by cameo in live-action movie
Spoilers for 'The Little Mermaid'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jodi Benson expresses immense happiness at reuniting with the world of 'The Little Mermaid' in the upcoming live-action movie. The actress, known as the original voice of Ariel, recently shared her excitement in an interview. She discussed her cameo appearance in director Rob Marshall's live-action reboot of the beloved 1989 animated masterpiece.
In a delightful scene, the long-awaited moment unfolds as 61-year-old Benson, portraying a marketplace vendor, presents a bowl of food to the transformed human version of Ariel (portrayed by Halle Bailey) in the film. However, Ariel encounters a comical mishap when she mistakenly uses the fork, referred to as a "dinglehopper" by Scuttle, to style her hair instead of using it as an eating utensil. "It's literally like passing the torch," Benson told EW.
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'It was just a huge thrill for me'
"It was just a huge thrill for me when Robbie reached out," Benson said. "I'm like, 'Of course, I'm gonna come! I don't care what I'm doing. I just can't wait to get around the set and watch all of you work. It was just pure joy for me." Marshall said of Benson appearing in the film, "We thought, 'It is just so perfect to have her in that, if it felt like it could be organic and not too stunt-y'."
Marshall revealed that the decision to recreate the iconic moment in a marketplace setting stemmed from his desire for a more organic and natural portrayal. He believed that this location would lend itself better to the scene than what was initially written. Additionally, it presented the ideal opportunity for Benson to make her cameo appearance, seamlessly integrating her into the reimagined storyline.
'Times change, people change'
In addition to introducing new plotlines, the live-action remake incorporates fresh songs and minor alterations to the lyrics of the beloved musical numbers from the original film. Benson, speaking to PEOPLE earlier this week, expressed her belief that the modifications made to reflect contemporary society were valuable and worthwhile. She acknowledged the importance of adapting the story and music to resonate with the present era, embracing the opportunity to address relevant themes and evoke a deeper connection with the audience.
"When you look at our film, we started in the studio in 1986 and we were released in 1989. Times change, people change, cultures change," said Benson. "What matters and what is important changes. And, as a studio, we need to make those adjustments, and we need to take into consideration what's going on around us. We need to be aware." "I do feel all of the nuances and small, slight changes here and there are very important," she continued. "It's very important to address what's going on right now in our world and to make it effective for our period of time, where we are right now in this generation." However, Benson highlighted that director Marshall continues to pay tribute to the original timeless classic. "The way that they paid tribute to the integrity of our original film just comes shining through in such a beautiful way. ... It really is just breathtaking."
