Netflix is known for either butchering or outright canceling our fantasy favorites, but it recently outdid itself by canceling a promised adaptation before it even began. This isn’t quite as criminal as its cancelation of shows like Warrior Nun, which remain popular despite the streamer’s lack of faith, but it’s enough to prove Netflix has learned exactly nothing from the continued fan campaigns.
Disney’s doing a much better job when it comes to fantasy, but its obsession with remaking its own animated classics is becoming old for many viewers. Despite this, The Little Mermaid feels like a clear victory, particularly when considered through the eyes of its intended audience: children. Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula is excellent, just a touch scary, and a far cry from the actress’ typical roles, and the film’s careful updating of its more old-fashioned elements brings it into the modern age.
That’s not to say every animated favorite needs a remake, of course, and few people are happy at the thought of a live-action How to Train Your Dragon. The concept is entirely unnecessary, but that’s not the fault of its recently-cast stars, who fans are already stepping up to defend.
The Little Mermaid was never for us
I’ve talked a lot about The Little Mermaid in these round-ups and in my own dedicated articles, but seeing the movie for myself clued me into something important: This movie was never for me. As an adult, I join all the other people old enough to publish their opinions online in being outside of the film’s intended audience. We’re too old to properly appreciate everything The Little Mermaid is, but you know who isn’t? My twin 5-year-old nieces, who shared with me their own opinions on Disney’s latest live-action effort.
Netflix outdoes itself by canceling a fantasy effort before it’s even made
Over the last few years, Netflix has well earned a reputation for killing off many of its most popular fantasy offerings, but it recently outdid itself with the cancelation of The Selection. The movie, based on Kiera Cass’ YA series of books, languished in development hell for several years ahead of its official cancelation, and few people were surprised to hear that the project would not go ahead. Fans of the series are still disappointed, of course, but based on Netflix’s track record of late, it feels almost inevitable.
Warrior Nun cinches an award win, but not a renewal
The fight to resurrect Warrior Nun is far from over, as the show’s Halo Bearers continue to push for its return to Netflix — or any other streaming platform that will have it — but no real progress has been made in the six months since the show was canceled. Despite the lack of forward momentum, however, the show’s victory at the Tell-Tale TV Awards proves the fight is far from over. The series won the trophy for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Series, giving the fans another win to celebrate — just not the one they’re aiming for.
How to Train Your Dragon fans worry over inevitable backlash to latest live-action casting
The live-action attempt at How to Train Your Dragon has officially found its Astrid, and fans of The Last of Us’ Nico Parker are already calling for the racists to leave her be. The young actress, who played Joel’s daughter Sarah in HBO’s recent adaptation, has already proven her talent, but fans are anticipating a familiar backlash to her casting as the Viking warrior. Despite an overarching outcry against the idea of a live-action adaptation in general, people are lining up to defend Parker, and assert that — while we certainly don’t need a HtTYD remake — that’s not Parker’s fault.
Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula breaks a decade-old mold
Melissa McCarthy has been relegated to the same type of roles for far too long, and her flawless portrayal of the sea witch Ursula in Disney’s live-action Little Mermaid finally allowed her to break out of it. McCarthy is too often seen as little other than “the fat, funny one,” a harsh label that’s followed her from Bridesmaids to Life of the Party to Ghostbusters. In The Little Mermaid, she manages to break out of this typecasting, and deliver a serious, but still amusing, performance that perfectly balances out the film.
