When asked about the serendipitous cameo, director Rob Marshall shares, “Jodi is an old friend, and I’ve known her for a long time. We worked together in the theater years ago, during a production of Chess in Casa Mañana, Texas [in 1991]. So I’ve had the pleasure of knowing her for decades. Jodi is not only a talented artist, but also a warm and beautiful person. Producer John DeLuca and I felt it was only fitting to find a place for Jodi in this film. We wanted it to feel organic and not forced. The market scene seemed perfect. There are vendors and sellers, and it just made sense.”
“The script already had a scene where someone hands Ariel a fork, and that fork holds a special place in Ariel’s story,” Marshall continues. “So, we thought, ‘What if Jodi hands her the fork, the dinglehopper?’ It felt like a natural fit. We wanted to give Jodi something small yet significant. Her immediate embrace of this film and Halle’s casting was incredibly generous. That’s the kind of person she is – generous and spirited. Having her on set with us was truly extraordinary, especially for Halle.”
Bailey, beaming with joy, confirms the magic of their encounter. “It was a dream come true for me because Jodi Benson’s voice has been the soundtrack of our lives for so long,” she shares. “I felt a responsibility to make her proud and to honor the film’s devoted fans. Jodi said the kindest words to me, expressing how proud she is and that she believes I am here for a reason. I am immensely grateful for her support. Knowing that I have her backing makes me feel like I’ve made the original Ariel proud. That means the world to me.”
Hauer-King, sharing in the sentiment, adds, “It was incredibly special, even for me. Seeing the connection between Halle and Jodi was beautiful. This film is all about reimagining while respecting the original. Witnessing them together was truly magical because both of them embody Ariel in their own unique ways. It’s an experience that will stay with me forever.”
