7 Shocking Secrets Behind The Little Mermaid (2023) Filming: From Pandemic Tears To Pinewood’s Blue Abyss
The 2023 live-action adaptation of Disney’s The Little Mermaid was one of the most ambitious and technically challenging productions in recent memory, a four-and-a-half-year odyssey that spanned continents and faced unprecedented global hurdles. As of today, December 25, 2025, the stories emerging from behind the scenes reveal a production process as epic as the film’s visual scope, blending stunning real-world locations with cutting-edge visual effects to create the mythical kingdom of Atlantica and the human world of Prince Eric.
The journey to bring Ariel’s story to life involved director Rob Marshall and his team navigating a complete global shutdown, forcing the cast and crew to push the boundaries of filmmaking technology to create a photorealistic underwater environment. From the emotional toll on star Halle Bailey while filming the iconic "Part of Your World" to the ingenious wirework used to simulate swimming, the production secrets offer a fascinating glimpse into how Disney transformed a beloved animated classic into a modern cinematic spectacle.
The Little Mermaid (2023) Principal Cast & Key Production Entities
The success of the 2023 adaptation relied on a blend of stellar acting talent and a world-class production team, all working to realize director Rob Marshall’s vision. The film boasts a diverse and experienced ensemble, providing the necessary star power for a major Disney feature.
- Halle Bailey as Ariel
- Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric
- Melissa McCarthy as Ursula
- Javier Bardem as King Triton
- Daveed Diggs as the voice of Sebastian
- Jacob Tremblay as the voice of Flounder
- Awkwafina as the voice of Scuttle
- Noma Dumezweni as Queen Selina
- Art Malik as Sir Grimsby
Key Crew & Production Entities:
- Director: Rob Marshall
- Producer: John DeLuca
- Music Producer/New Songs: Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Cinematographer: Dion Beebe, ASC ACS
- Production Visual Effects Supervisor: Tim Burke
- Studio Filming Location: Pinewood Studios, England
- Principal Location Filming: Sardinia, Italy
The Four-Year Production Odyssey: Pandemic and Emotional Filming Challenges
The road to completing The Little Mermaid was anything but smooth. What was initially planned as a straightforward production became a four-and-a-half-year marathon due to unforeseen global events and the sheer technical complexity of the material.
COVID-19 Shutdown and the Production Delay
Principal photography was originally slated to begin in London between late March and early April 2020. However, the global COVID-19 pandemic forced an immediate and indefinite shutdown, delaying the start of filming for over a year. The production finally commenced in early 2021, primarily at Pinewood Studios in England, with location shooting in Italy following later that year.
Halle Bailey’s Emotional Breakdown on Set
One of the most revealing behind-the-scenes stories involves the emotional weight carried by lead actress Halle Bailey. Filming the pivotal song "Part of Your World" proved to be an overwhelming experience. Bailey recounted breaking down in tears while shooting the sequence. This emotional release was not just about the challenging wirework or the technical demands, but about the profound connection she felt to the song and the character's journey, especially while filming in the isolating conditions of the pandemic. This level of vulnerability was essential to capturing the heart of Ariel’s struggle.
Rob Marshall’s Theatrical Approach to a VFX Film
Director Rob Marshall, renowned for his work on movie musicals like Chicago and Mary Poppins Returns, brought a unique, theater-grounded perspective to a film dominated by Visual Effects (VFX). Marshall’s preference is to work closely with actors on physical sets. However, for The Little Mermaid, he knew the underwater scenes required a completely different approach, relying heavily on bluescreen technology and post-production animation. This meant the actors spent countless hours on dry land, suspended by wires, trying to convey the fluidity of underwater movement without the aid of water, a significant shift for a director who values on-set spontaneity.
The VFX Secrets: Creating the Photorealistic Underwater World
The most significant technical challenge of The Little Mermaid was the creation of a believable, photorealistic underwater environment without actually submerging the main actors. This required a monumental effort in visual effects, spearheaded by Production Visual Effects Supervisor Tim Burke.
Pinewood Studios: The Blue Abyss
The majority of the "underwater" sequences were not filmed in water at all, but rather in massive soundstages at Pinewood Studios in England. The sets were dominated by blue screens, where the actors, particularly Halle Bailey, spent their time suspended by intricate wirework and specialized rigging. This technique allowed the VFX team to later digitally insert the detailed, dynamic underwater environment, including the vibrant coral reefs and the majestic Atlantica kingdom, a process far more controllable than actual underwater filming.
Wirework and the Simulation of Swimming
To achieve Ariel’s graceful, flowing movements, the production employed sophisticated wirework. Actors were trained to move in a way that mimicked swimming while suspended, a physically demanding process that required immense core strength and coordination. This non-water-based filming is what Halle Bailey described as a "weird" experience, as she had to rely entirely on her imagination and the guidance of the crew to visualize the ocean around her. The Cinematographer, Dion Beebe, also had to find creative ways to "film" an environment that didn't physically exist, using camera movements and lighting cues that would later align with the digital effects.
The Hair Simulation Breakthrough
One of the most complex visual effects was the simulation of Ariel’s hair moving naturally underwater. Real hair underwater often looks flat and unrealistic on camera. The production team used a combination of simulation and hand animation to overcome this, creating realistic, visually appealing hair that flowed with the character’s movement. This intricate process was crucial for maintaining the magical aesthetic of the mermaid world and is a testament to the advances in modern VFX technology.
Sardinia: The Real-World Kingdom of Prince Eric
While Atlantica was a triumph of VFX at Pinewood, the human world of Prince Eric was grounded in the stunning reality of the Mediterranean. The production chose the beautiful Italian island of Sardinia for the principal location shooting, specifically its northern coast.
Key Filming Locations in Sardinia
The seaside towns and landscapes of Sardinia provided the perfect backdrop for Prince Eric’s castle and the surrounding village. Key locations included:
- Santa Teresa di Gallura: Known for its dramatic coastline and pristine beaches, this area was used for the outdoor scenes where Ariel first interacts with the human world and Prince Eric.
- Castelsardo: This picturesque medieval village, perched on a promontory, likely served as the inspiration or backdrop for some of the castle and village scenes.
- Golfo Aranci: Another coastal town used for shooting the crucial outdoor sequences between Ariel and Prince Eric.
The use of Sardinia not only provided breathtaking, authentic scenery but also helped to establish the film’s unique, sun-drenched aesthetic, contrasting sharply with the deep-sea blues of Atlantica. The island became a major tourist destination following the film's release, capitalizing on the "set-jetting" trend.
The filming of The Little Mermaid (2023) stands as a case study in modern blockbuster filmmaking, demonstrating how a production can overcome massive logistical hurdles—from a global pandemic to the inherent difficulty of filming an underwater fantasy—through a combination of ambitious technology, dedicated actors, and the singular vision of a director. The result is a film that successfully honors the animated legacy while delivering a fresh, photorealistic world for a new generation.
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