The Little Mermaid director Rob Marshall reacts to Halle Bailey's rendition of "Part of Your World." After classic fairytale properties like Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Mulan, John Musker and Ron Clements' 1989 Disney Renaissance-era torchbearer, The Little Mermaid, is the latest to get a live-action treatment. Helmed by Mary Poppins Returns' Marshall, The Little Mermaid sees Bailey, of the Grammy-winning singing duo Chloe x Halle, tackle the lead role of Ariel. Melissa McCarthy will appear as the treacherous sea witch Ursula, with whom Ariel makes a deal to become a human.

The upcoming live-action is said to take some liberties with the source material, to empower Ariel and offer a more feminist perspective on her story. There are a lot of intriguing elements to look forward to in The Little Mermaid, including a potential rap song from Daveed Diggs' Sebastian and highly anticipated voice performances by Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina, who play Flounder and Scuttle, respectively. But what is probably the most interesting aspect is the return of original composer Alan Menken, as well as four-to-five new songs co-written by Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Little Mermaid also includes all the songs fans know and love from the 1989 movie, of course, including Ariel's iconic anthem, "Part of Your World."

Related: Why Halle Bailey's Ariel Will Avoid Disney's Live-Action Princess Mistakes

Now, Marshall shares his response to Bailey's performance of the song with Variety. As the director recalls, when he first heard Bailey singing "Part of Your World" during the audition, he was absolutely touched. And when the actor later returned to the studio to record the song, her voice again left him exhilarated. Read what he says below:

When she finished [the first time], I was in tears because she’s so soulful. You could tell right away that she was able to harness Ariel’s passion, her fire, her soul, her joy and her heart.

[And the second time in the studio Halle] sings that moment up an octave from the original. It’s the most chilling, and the most thrilling, film moment because it crystallizes not just her incredible vocal ability but the emotional passion she has in singing it.

Halle Bailey As Ariel The Little Mermaid

Marshall's comments reinforce the idea that Bailey is the perfect casting choice for Ariel in The Little Mermaid. While the presence of new songs in the live-action was previously met with concern from fans, the new remarks by the director offer reassurance that the movie will honor the gorgeous, triumphant ballads from the animated film, with Bailey doing full justice to Howard Ashman and Menken's memorable composition. The producers might have found new moments to musicalize, but that doesn't mean that the rendition of the original scores will be in any way compromised.

The idea that Bailey's voice brought Marshall to tears bodes well for the live-action adaptation, appeasing those who are in doubt that the movie will not do justice to the Disney classic. "Part of Your World" was not only a moving moment for Marshall, but it was an equally surreal and sentimental experience for Bailey as well, who had her wish fulfilled by getting the opportunity to perform the song. Hopefully, the new version of "Part of Your Word" will connect with audiences, too, when The Little Mermaid arrives in theatres.

Source: Variety