I think we can all agree that when it comes to live-action remakes of our favorite fairytale classics, Disney's track record hasn't been the most impressive, at least critically speaking.
Still, that hasn't deterred the House of Mouse from producing more live-action adaptations and why would they not? Over the years, films such as Maleficent, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Jungle Book, and The Lion King have generated massive box office numbers for the company.
This time around, Disney aims to replicate the financial success of its live-action remakes with the 2023 reimagining of The Little Mermaid. So far, the first reactions to the film starring Halle Bailey have been promising, with critics lauding the actress' performance despite the initial backlash her casting received.
Of course, there are still cynics who believe the film will end up flopping but shockingly enough, Aladdin actor Mena Massoud is one of them. On Twitter, the 31-year-old star threw shade at The Little Mermaid's box office potential, suggesting that the film won't surpass the 1 billion mark.
The now-deleted tweet reads: "Our film was unique in that audiences went to watch it multiple times. It's the only way we reached the billion dollar mark with our opening. My guess is TLM doesn't cross the billion mark but will undoubtedly get a sequel."
Massoud's tweet generated a ton of heat from fans, so much so that it forced him to deactivate his account.
Also Read: The Little Mermaid First Reactions Are In: "Halle Bailey is Magnificent," "Absolute Joy to Watch"
While I'm pretty sure Massoud meant no harm, the way his message was delivered was certainly in poor taste. Not only did it make him look insecure and threatened, but it also changed the public's perception of him overnight.
With Aladdin 2 confirmed to be in the works, the timing of his controversy is quite unfortunate.
Disney's The Little Mermaid is set to release in theaters this May 26.
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