The Walt Disney Company has been a poor unfortunate soul this year. The entertainment giant has had to contend with the neverending drama surrounding many of its business decisions while also fighting a slower box office turnout. Its live-action The Little Mermaid adaption caused quite a stir back in May, and it now finds itself at the center of a legal battle involving a fall.
The Little Mermaid is no stranger to controversy. In fact, it encountered a barrage of social media backlash upon its release. Detractors criticized Disney’s decision to cast Halle Bailey, a Black actress, as Ariel. While the choice was heavily debated on the internet, it ultimately was of little concern to most Disney fans. Bailey was praised for her performance, though the movie struggled a bit at the box office.
The Little Mermaid Lawsuit
Interestingly, The Little Mermaid has found itself in a new situation. A lawsuit has been filed against Disney for an injury that occurred during the film’s production. The incident involved special effects artist Christine Overs, who is seeking damages of £150,000 ($190,000) in compensation.
Disney has yet to comment on the case. However, Sandcastle Pictures, the Disney-owned production company responsible for the adaptation, acknowledges responsibility for the incident. Furthermore, they are contesting the compensation amount sought by Overs, which has led to legal proceedings to determine the final settlement.
According to Variety, Overs was crafting a lagoon scene for the movie at Pinewood Studios in October 2020. She fell while working on a polystyrene step, breaking her wrist upon impact with the concrete floor. She underwent surgery and had steel pins inserted in her arm to aid her recovery.
Overs’ injury has had repercussions beyond the physical. Her career relies on fine finger movements, and the accident has impaired her ability to perform tasks like fastening buttons and zips. Additionally, she experiences ongoing pain, disrupted sleep, and swelling due to the fall.
Having contributed to many films, including Dune, Alien, and Golden Eye, the 74-year-old artist boasts an impressive resume. Her ties to Jim Henson’s creature workshop underscore her significance in the industry.
Disney Fights Multiple Battles
The live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid was arguably profitable for Disney. However, many of Disney’s other live-action remakes achieved considerable box-office success. The animated Little Mermaid film is a powerhouse in the studio’s classics, but this version struggled to capture the same audience engagement as other live-action remakes.
The film is being released to the Disney+ streaming platform on September 6, where it might find additional success. It recently launched digital as well.
Christine Overs’ lawsuit against The Little Mermaid is just one legal battle Disney is fighting. The company is famously suing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for his measures against Walt Disney World. Furthermore, Disney and ESPN recently settled a first amendment court case against a former anchor.
