“The Little Mermaid” swam into cinemas again on May 25, 2023, this time not as a cartoon character, but played by Halle Bailey. Much has remained the same in the new edition of the animation classic, but there are also a few changes, and these are not only related to the fact that the character Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) in particular has been given significantly more depth, as about you can read her in our “Arielle” movie review. Scuttle was also changed for the remake.
Anyone who has already seen the new “Arielle, the Mermaid” in the cinema or at least watched the trailer will probably have recognized it: This is not a seagull.
In the “Arielle” remake, Scuttle is a gannet instead of a seagull. Our news photo, chosen for this article, gives an indication of why the bird species has changed: Arielle Scuttle shows the fork aka Dingelhopper – just like in the original. However, he does not do this above water, but below the water surface. The photo clearly shows that fish Fabius (Jacob Tremblay) swims right next to her and does not just peek out of the water like in the animation film.
Anyone who has already seen the film in the cinema knows: There are several such diving scenes from Scuttle, in which the bird stays underwater longer and interacts with Ariel there.
Gannets instead of seagulls: Off to the sea!
However, diving that much and skillfully would be very strange behavior for a seagull. So the decision for the remake was made on purpose to make Scuttle a diving bird this time around. Gannets are known to be excellent swimmers and especially divers and are also physically well adapted to scuba diving. For example, they do not have external nostrils for water to enter, but secondary nostrils that can be closed by valves.
In the “Arielle” remake, Scuttle can also participate in the underwater events to some extent, sharing longer scenes not only with Arielle, but also with gill respirator Fabius, for example.
Awkwafina & Maria Hönig endorse Scuttle
Scuttle is voiced by actress and musician Awkwafina in the “Arielle” remake – another change that makes Scuttle female instead of male this time. In the 1989 animated film Ariel, Scuttle was originally voiced by Buddy Hackett, who died in 2003. In the German version, Jürgen Kluckert could be heard in the first dubbed version and Hartmut Neugebauer in the second dubbed version.
In Rob Marshalls 2023’s “Arielle” live action Maria Hönig has now taken over Scuttle’s German dub – and may the song “Klatsch und Tratsch”, which was written especially for Scuttle and which you can listen to, sing or rap here.