David Magee, the screenwriter in question, has found himself at the receiving end of online attacks due to this controversy.
A social media account dedicated to the Prince and Princess of Wales posted a message urging people to remember Magee moving forward.
This account, known as "Prince & Princess of Wales," has a substantial following on Twitter.
Scheduled for release on May 26, the movie has faced criticism for its alleged derogatory portrayal of Kate Middleton. According to The Telegraph, the new Disney adaptation of "The Little Mermaid" contains a scene that appears to mock the Princess of Wales.
The film stars Halle Bailey, a newcomer, as Ariel, the mermaid who falls in love with a charming prince and sacrifices her voice to be with him. In one of the early encounters between Ariel and Prince Eric, he attempts to guess her name. His initial guess is "Diana," followed by "Catherine," which is the first name of the Princess of Wales.
Upon hearing the latter guess, Ariel's expression contorts, and Eric remarks, "'OK, definitely not Catherine.'" The Telegraph reported that this scene has caused controversy, suggesting a disrespectful tone towards Kate Middleton.
Interestingly, the film already has a connection to the royal family, as Meghan Markle drew parallels between herself and Ariel during her interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021.
