Forget Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Disney die-hards are now desperate for Ariel: Across the Disney-Verse after setting eyes on this epic crossover fan art that features two princesses of Atlantica for the price of one. The House of Mouse is on the cusp of releasing its latest live-action remake (less than a month after the last one) in the form of The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey in the role of the spirited sea-dweller originally voiced by Jodi Benson.
Bailey and Benson actually just united in real-life on the red carpet for the movie’s world premiere, but this sensational artwork imagines what every Disney nerd would love to see — the two variants (to use a Marvel term) swimming into a team-up together. As created by Luz Tapia Art, the piece depicts both Benson and Bailey’s Ariels in their mermaid forms, side by side and holding hands. The two Ursulas wouldn’t stand a chance.
Despite multiverses being all the rage right now, Disney curiously remains reluctant to establish an interconnected reality between its different princesses, excepting the occasional comedic crossover in things like Ralph Breaks the Internet.
Given that some kind of Princesses movie could be Disney’s answer to the Avengers and would no doubt leaving execs drowning in box office returns, it’s surprising that it hasn’t happened yet. But, who knows, maybe 2026’s Avengers: Secret Wars will really go to town and see Marvel’s heroes cross paths with the characters of Disney, and all their many multiversal selves.
For the moment, though, you can watch Halle Bailey’s lone Ariel when The Little Mermaid flips its fins into theaters on May 26.
Published: May 9, 2023 11:07 am