The Little Mermaid: By the way, flounder, what kind of fish is that?

Simba is accompanied by Timon and Pumbaa, Belle by Lumiere and Big Ben, Aladdin by Abu and the Flying Carpet, Ariel by Polochon, Sebastian and Eureka. Like any Disney character worthy of the name, The Little Mermaid shares her adventures with companions who especially serve to add a humorous note to the film.

Although the new version of the famous Disney classic, directed by Rob Marshall, is in theaters from Wednesday, let’s dwell here on the mermaid’s three sidekicks, who are always at her side to give her a little shake, a wing or a fin.

Already featured in the original cartoon produced in 1989, the fish, Sebastian the Crab and Eureka the Bird are of course back, but this time sporting – live action obliges – a much more realistic look, going as far as inspiration goes. Based on real animal species.

Thus, Little Flounder, Ariel’s noisy but devoted companion, voiced by Jacob Tremblay in the original version, is inspired by tropical reef fish, and more specifically by small fish found in the oceans, the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Sebastian, the slightly moral crab entrusted by King Triton to protect his daughter, is inspired by the Cuban land crab, even if his movements are more reminiscent of those of a white crab. He is played by David Diggs in the original version.

As for Eureka, the feathered friend She wore a mermaid The one who tries to teach him more about the human world is no longer a seagull (as in the original film) but a gannet, a bird that can dive under the ocean.

“We made this choice so that Ariel would only meet Eureka underwater, because at the beginning of our story she never dared to go above the surface”explains director Rob Marshall in the press kit about the bird, now played by Awkwafina.

Which of Ariel’s three friends is your favorite?

(Re)discover our interview with Rob Marshall for The Little Mermaid…