Zendaya Coleman Rumored to Be Offered Ariel Role in Disney’s Live-Action ‘The Little Mermaid’

Here’s an incredible rumor: That Hashtag Show is reporting that a source close to Walt Disney Studios has told them that Zendaya Coleman has been offered the role of Ariel in Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of the film—the one Lin-Manuel Miranda is helping do music for with Alan Menken. Rob Marshall is set to direct.

Zendaya’s rep and Disney declined to comment on the news to That Hashtag Show, but should it be true, it means Ariel’s father King Triton and sisters would likely be played by actors of color for a more inclusive, diverse retelling of the 1989 animated film, which originally had an all-white main cast. Zendaya, of course, got her start on Disney, starring on Disney Channel sitcoms Shake It Up and K.C. Undercover. She starred in major blockbuster musical The Greatest Showman this past holiday so she’s well prepared to take on another one.

Getty ImagesVera Anderson

While it’s unclear how the part of Ariel was written in casting descriptions, Zendaya talked in Marie Claire‘s September issue about how she purposefully goes out for auditions for white roles. “Most things I go out for” aren’t written for black girls, she said. “I always tell my theatrical manager, ‘Anytime it says they’re looking for white girls, send me out. Let me get in the room. Maybe they’ll change their minds.’ And, honestly, if there’s a part that I didn’t get or that I really wanted at the time, shit always ends up working out.”