The Little Mermaid, Disney’s highly anticipated remake, has been generating strong reactions from critics, indicating a promising future at the box office. Projections suggest that the film is expected to earn between $110 million to $130 million during its opening weekend. However, Aladdin lead star Mena Massoud found himself in hot water after a controversial tweet, leading to a backlash from fans.

Controversial Tweet By Mena Massoud

When a fan inquired about The Little Mermaid’s box office potential, Mena Massoud, known for his role in Aladdin, expressed his opinion that the film would not surpass the billion-dollar mark but would undoubtedly receive a sequel. He stated, “Our film was unique in that audiences went to watch it multiple times. It’s the only way we reached the billion-dollar mark with our opening. My guess is [‘The Little Mermaid’] doesn’t cross the billion mark but will undoubtedly get a sequel.”

Fan Backlash And Massoud’s Departure From Twitter

Massoud’s tweet ignited controversy online, eliciting a negative response from The Little Mermaid supporters. One Twitter user, @irissirens, pointedly remarked, “Your film reached a billion but you’re still jobless… seems like you got other things to worry about.” Another user, @Elliott_Bull2, summarized the situation, stating, “Mena Massoud [chose] violence with that comment about ‘The Little Mermaid’s’ box office and now ‘TLM’ stans are coming after him.” Meanwhile, @ComplexCut voiced its support for The Little Mermaid while addressing Massoud’s career, stating, “[Mena Massoud], you’re pea green with envy because your CGI monster snooze fest of a very bastardized Aladdin made a billion dollars, got forgotten, & you were never cast in anything meaningful again. Halle Bailey is a true star & ‘The Little Mermaid’ is about to eclipse everything.”

In response to the controversy, Massoud deactivated his Twitter account.

The Possibility Of A Sequel

Mena Massoud’s unexpected comment about The Little Mermaid has raised questions about the film’s sequel plans. It is speculated that his statement may be related to the unfulfilled sequel plans for Aladdin. Regardless, Massoud’s remarks angered devoted fans of The Little Mermaid, and it may take some time for the actor to recover from this misstep.

The potential development of a sequel for The Little Mermaid will depend on the film’s critical acclaim and box office success. Additionally, it will rely on the audience’s interest in seeing the next chapter of Ariel’s story. Halle Bailey, the lead star of The Little Mermaid, has already generated excitement by teasing significant differences from the original, emphasizing a shift in Ariel’s perspective from “just her wanting to leave the ocean for a boy.”

If The Little Mermaid’s creative team manages to deliver an intriguing story, a sequel may not be far behind.