Disney Has A Frontrunner To Direct The Live-Action Little Mermaid

Disney knows who it wants to bring The Little Mermaid to life.

According to Deadline, Rob Marshall (Chicago, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) is the frontrunner and has reportedly been offered the live-action adaptation of the 1989 animated classic. Sources said Marshall will take until after the holidays to make his decision.

The adaptation will reportedly feature new songs by Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken.

Marshall recently directed Mary Poppins Returns, another update on a Disney classic starring Emily Mortimer, Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, and Meryl Streep. That film is set for release Dec. 25, 2018. 

The Little Mermaid is one of many live-action remakes in the works at Disney. Will Smith will star in Aladdin and Beyonce will headline the ensemble of The Lion King.