ABC is planning its own take on the live television musical with The Wonderful World of Disney: Little Mermaid Live, a two-hour special that will air October 3.
The special will combine the 1989 animated film with live musical performances from celebrity artists performing songs from the Alan Menken-Howard Ashman score. According to ABC, the special will use cutting edge technology to deliver a "never-before-seen live action/animation hybrid television experience."
Disney is also planning a live-action film remake of The Little Mermaid, featuring additional musical material from Hamilton star and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who will collaborate with Menken on the project,
The television special is inspired by the celebrity-studded concerts that took place at the Hollywood Bowl last year. The cast included Sara Bareilles as Ariel, Tituss Burgess as Sebastian the Crab, Darren Criss as Prince Eric, Rebel Wilson as Ursula the Sea Witch, Norm Lewis repeating his Broadway role as King Triton, Joshua Colley as Flounder, and John Stamos as Chef Louis.
A stage musical version of The Little Mermaid made its Broadway debut in 2008.
Upcoming live musical broadcasts also include Bye Bye Birdie and Jesus Christ Superstar on NBC, as well as A Christmas Story the Musical and Rent on Fox.
Read: WATCH MAGICAL GLIMPSE OF THE LITTLE MERMAID WITH SARA BAREILLES, DARREN CRISS AND MORE!
