'The Little Mermaid' star defends Flounder's 'skinny' look

May 2024 · 3 minute read

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He’s got no troubles, life is the bubbles.

The voice of Flounder in the upcoming live-action “The Little Mermaid” addressed the backlash that has spread across the Internet about his character’s appearance.

Jacob Tremblay defended Flounder’s portrayal at the world premiere of the movie in Los Angeles Monday, saying that it “works out perfectly.”

“I was shown the design when I went in for the audition and I saw the movie last night and, I have to say that I think it really, really worked,” the 16-year-old actor told People. “I think that they were geniuses and they knew exactly what they were doing.

“And I think it works out perfectly. I think it matches everything. So if it was different, I don’t think it would really work,” he said.

Tremblay, who has starred in “Wonder” and “Room,” added that the new version of the classic movie gives the audience a deeper look into each of the characters.

“What I think is cool, is that it goes in more depth into characters,” he shared. “And I think that’s really cool because they’re really beloved characters that fans get to see more of.”

The new Flounder is mostly silver with dark blue stripes and is very skinny. Disney
Jacob Tremblay voices Flounder in the live-action remake. Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney

In the original 1989 animated film, Ariel’s best fish friend was yellow and blue and perfectly plump, but the new version is mostly silver with dark blue stripes.

Aside from the lack of color, many fans have complained that the fish is “too skinny” in the remake.

“Not they put Flounder on Ozempic! Why he so skinny??? This fish look like Steve Buscemi,” another reacted, joking that the fish is on Hollywood’s go-to weight loss drug.

In the 1989 animated film, Ariel’s best fish friend was yellow and blue and perfectly plump. ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
Aside from the lack of color, many fans have complained that Flounder is “too skinny” in the remake. ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

“Flounder got the Buccal fat removal surgery omg,” someone quipped.

“Wanna see the little mermaid…..but why is flounder skinny ..he is supposed to be fat,” one fan wrote.

“skinny Flounder is the stuff of nightmares,” another commented.

“He also looks baked as hell,” someone else declared.

“I had a flounder plush that I loved to death and so seeing this thing I like seeing a monster wearing the skin of an old friend,” someone shared.

“The Little Mermaid” is set to hit theaters May 26. Disney
Halle Bailey as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.” Disney

The movie also stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Noma Dumezweni as new character Queen Selina, Awkwafina as Scuttle and Daveed Diggs as Sebastian.

“The Little Mermaid” is set to hit theaters May 26.

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