The direct-to-video sequel to the movie,
"The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea,"will be released to home video and DVD on Sept. 19. Jodi Benson, who provided the voice of Ariel for the original movie and the TV series, is doing the voice of Ariel again. Much of the animation was done by Walt Disney's television and video animation unit in Australia. More animation was done at Disney's now-defunct studio in Canada.
The movie takes place many years after the original movie, and
shows Ariel as a married 30-ish mother.Morgana, the sister
of Ursula, the villainess killed in the first movie, seeks revenge
on Triton, Ariel and Eric by trying to kill Ariel and Eric's daughter,
12-year-old Melody.
Aside from Mrs. Benson, other veterans of the first movie returning for the sequel are Kenneth Mars (King Triton), Rene Aberjoinois (Chef Louis) and Pat Caroll (originally Ursula, now Morgana)
.
Little Mermaid II merchandise is already reaching stores. A Melody doll is available at Toys R Us outlets, while children's books are popping up in various locations. The soundtrack CD will be available in stores Aug. 22, while an interactive CD-ROM for PCs and Macs is already available for pre-order from amazon.com.
Jodi Benson will be making an appearance at an animation gallery, Sacks Route 1, in Atlanta Aug. 19, giving autographs and singing. She will be there as part of a "Little Mermaid" day at the gallery, where art from the new "Little Mermaid II" will be on display. For more information, go to the gallery's web site at:
http://www.sacksroute1.com/
