Alan Menken: Song Cut From Little Mermaid Remake

Movies

Alan Menken recently sat down with ComicBook.com and explained the decision to cut the opening number, “Daughters of Triton,” from the upcoming Little Mermaid remake. Check out an excerpt here:

“I think the thought process was a) we didn’t need it in this particular version. And we definitely wanted the film to start with a much more of a live-action feel of the ocean and meeting Ariel, and then we wait a little bit, make you wait until we get to ‘Part of Your World.'”

He continued, “And I think that was, you know, it was an amazing choice because it just builds the power and anticipation. And part of that is also knowing you’re adapting something that’s already beloved. So you want to say, ‘Wait for it, wait for it, wait for it — and here it is.’ And when it comes, God.”

“Les Poissons,” Chef Louie’s comedic ditty laden with attacks on poor Sebastian, is also absent from the new film. There are three brand new songs from Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the songwriter behind Hamilton and Disney hits Encanto and Moana. 

This is actually one of the less offensive changes I’ve heard of with this movie. I get what Menken is saying about translating the movie to feel more live-action; that’s something most of these remakes don’t consider. It is a different medium, and blindly recreating shots and performances doesn’t capture the magic of the classic films. I’m not saying this will be great because I still have plenty of concerns, but “Daughters of Triton” isn’t one of my favorite songs in the movie anyway. The alterations to “Poor Unfortunate Souls” are much more troubling, as that is one of the movie’s best scenes. 

But what do you think about the remake, cutting these songs, or anything else Little Mermaid? Talk to us in the comments!