A Disney-owned cable network has taken aim at critics who disagreed with the decision to cast Halle Bailey as Ariel in the upcoming adaption of The Little Mermaid.

The California-based network&nbsp;Freeform posted an open letter on Sunday in support of Bailey after some on social media used the hashtag 

 to object to a black woman portraying the red-headed mermaid princess of the animated film. But the network says "Danish mermaids can be black because Danish *people*&nbsp;can be black."

Disney accused of appropriation for trademarking Swahili words 'Hakuna Matata'

Disney's trademarking of the Swahili term "Hakuna Matata," used in its smash hit, The Lion King, has prompted a petition calling the legal move appropriation.

Disney is coming under fire for its trademark of "Hakuna Matata."

Lion King

Disney's trademarking of the phrase 'Hakuna Matata,' used in the popular film The Lion King, is facing accusations of appropriation.

Disney déjà vu: Why movie studio is reworking its greatest hits from Aladdin to Little Mermaid

Aladdin is just the latest in a string of Disney remakes as the studio looks to entice a new generation of fans.

Aladdin (Mena Massoud) meets the larger-than-life blue Genie (Will Smith) in Disney’s live-action adaptation ALADDIN, directed by Guy Ritchie.

Aladdin - Blue Genie

Aladdin (Mena Massoud), left, meets the occasionally blue Genie (Will Smith) in a scene from the new live-action remake of the 1992 Disney classic.  

An open letter to the Poor, Unfortunate Souls:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheLittleMermaid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheLittleMermaid</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ariel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ariel</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MyAriel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MyAriel</a> <a href="https://t.co/XYJSXKt2BU">pic.twitter.com/XYJSXKt2BU</a>

'She's the heroine of her own story:' Moana's Auli'i Cravalho proud of Disney's Polynesian tale

Disney's new film Moana centres on a feisty young Pacific Islander and arrives at a time when diversity and culturally sensitive casting are hot-button topics in Hollywood. 'Whenever we hear about a film inspired by our culture, we want it to be done right,' says star Auli'i Cravalho.

Hawaiian actor Auli'i Cravalho is a tackling her very first major role: playing Disney's first Polynesian character in Moana, in theatres Nov. 23, 2016.

Moana

Voice cast actor Auli'i Cravalho poses for photographers upon arrival at a UK Gala screening of the film Moana in London, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)

Britain Moana Screening

Casting of Scarlett Johansson in anime adaptation called 'whitewashing'

The studio behind the live-action adaptation of the Japanese manga series Ghost in the Shell released the first image of star Scarlett Johansson in the role of Maj. Motoko Kusanagi, leading to a new wave of accusations of "whitewashing" the Asian character.

Scarlett Johansson was cast in the role of Maj. Motoko Kusanagi in the Hollywood adaptation of the manga and anime Ghost in the Shell. 

Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell

Bailey is half of the sister duo Chloe x Halle. She will star in the live-action version that will include songs from the 1989 animated Disney hit as well as new tunes from original composer Alan Menken and Hamilton&nbsp;creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.

So far the cast includes&nbsp;Jacob Tremblay, who is playing Flounder, Ariel's best friend, and&nbsp;Awkwafina&nbsp;playing Scuttle, the seagull friend of the red-headed princess.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The reaction to diversifying the cast of Disney's The Little Mermaid

Halle Bailey — half of the musical duo Chloe and Halle — has been named the new star of the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. Filming is expected to start next year, but the reaction to her casting is already in full swing.

Halle Bailey, half of the sister duo Chloe x Halle, will next be going under the sea, starring as Ariel in the upcoming live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. The casting choice has some on social media objecting to a black performer portraying the white, red-headed mermaid princess of the animated film.

Disney-owned cable network supports Halle Bailey's Ariel casting amid backlash

More Stories Like This