It‘s official – acclaimed actor and rapper Daveed Diggs will be voicing the iconic role of Sebastian the crab in Disney‘s highly anticipated live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, set to make a splash into theaters on May 26, 2023.
The anticipation around who would land the part of Ariel‘s wisecracking crustacean companion has been building for years. Now, with Tony and Grammy winner Diggs announced as the voice behind Sebastian, expectations are sky high for his rendition of "Under the Sea" and other musical hits.
Diggs‘ Rise from Experimental Rapper to Broadway Fame
But just who is Daveed Diggs? While not yet a household name, he‘s quickly built an impressive resume across music, stage and screen. Raised in Oakland, California, Diggs first emerged through his experimental hip-hop group Clipping, garnering critical acclaim.
But it was the Broadway smash hit Hamilton that truly propelled Diggs into the spotlight. He originated the roles of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s acclaimed musical, winning both a Tony and Grammy award for his singular blend of rapping, singing and acting talents.
Daveed Diggs‘ Major Career Highlights:
- Born in Oakland, CA in 1982
- Co-founded experimental rap group Clipping in 2009
- Originated dual roles in Broadway‘s Hamilton in 2015
- Won 2016 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical
- Won 2016 Grammy Award for Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Recording
- Film acting debut in 2018‘s Blindspotting
- Voiced character in 2018 animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
- Played Mal in 2021 Netflix film The Harder They Fall
- Released solo rap album in 2022
- Cast as voice of Sebastian the crab in 2024 The Little Mermaid
Who Exactly is Sebastian the Crab?
In the original 1989 animated classic, Sebastian is so much more than just a crustacean sidekick to leading lady Ariel. As trusted advisor to King Triton and guardian tasked with keeping watch over the free-spirited Ariel, Sebastian often finds himself stuck between the rebellious young mermaid and her strict father.
Sebastian tries (and often fails) to curb Ariel‘s reckless adventures in the human world and steer her back towards her royal duties under the sea. But despite his best efforts, the rule-abiding crab gets frequently swept up in Ariel‘s misadventures on land.
Beyond his role as harried minder, Sebastian also showcases impressive musical abilities. He performs some of the most iconic numbers in the film like the Academy Award winning "Under the Sea" and the romantic "Kiss the Girl."
Key Facts About Sebastian the Crab:
- Trusted advisor to King Triton of Atlantica
- Assigned as minder to look after the adventurous Princess Ariel
- Tries unsuccessfully to curb Ariel‘s reckless behavior
- Frequently gets pulled into her adventures against his better judgement
- Showcases musical talents performing hits like "Under the Sea"
- Desperately tries to get Ariel out of her deal with the villainous Ursula
- Ultimately plays a key role in Ariel defeating Ursula and getting her happily ever after
Diggs Promises a Sebastian That‘s Both Familiar and Refreshing
According to interviews, Diggs plans to put his own unique spin on the voice work while keeping true to Sebastian‘s essence. Given Diggs‘ background in rapping and hip-hop, fans are eager to hear how he‘ll infuse those sensibilities into performing classic numbers like "Under the Sea."
At the same time, Diggs has been collaborating closely with director Rob Marshall and creatives to ensure his portrayal rings true to the version people know and love. While exact details are being kept tightly under wraps for now, Diggs promises to deliver a Sebastian that feels both familiar and refreshing.
"There will certainly be my own twist on it while still keeping the things people really want…You‘ll have to wait and see!" – Daveed Diggs on voicing Sebastian
How Does Diggs‘ Take Compare to the Original Sebastian?
In the 1989 original, Sebastian was voiced by actor and singer Samuel E. Wright, who brought plenty of personality and flair to the role. So how will Diggs‘ rendition measure up?
Given his incredible musical talents shown on the Hamilton stage, Diggs seems primed to deliver captivating versions of Sebastian‘s iconic songs. His background in hip hop could also allow him to add a modern edge.
At the same time, Wright gave Sebastian a distinct island accent and attitude that became beloved by fans. So Diggs has the challenging task of putting his own stamp on the character without losing the elements that made Sebastian so memorable.
By all indications, Diggs appears up for the challenge. His charisma and versatility as a performer should allow him to walk that fine line of creating a Sebastian who both honors the original and also feels fresh.
Sneak Peek at The Little Mermaid‘s All-Star Ensemble Cast
Beyond the casting of Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Disney‘s live-action Little Mermaid brings together an incredible A-list ensemble:
Halle Bailey as Ariel
The young actress and singer gets the coveted role of spirited mermaid princess Ariel as her major feature film debut. Bailey first broke out alongside her sister as R&B duo Chloe x Halle.
Melissa McCarthy as Ursula
The comedic actress takes on the villainous role of devious sea witch Ursula, who tricks Ariel into giving up her voice in exchange for human legs.
Javier Bardem as King Triton
The acclaimed Spanish actor will play Ariel‘s father, the ruler of the seas who disapproves of her fascination with the human world.
Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric
The rising British actor lands the role of the dashing human prince who captures Ariel‘s heart after she saves him from drowning.
Awkwafina as Scuttle
The Ocean‘s 8 actress lends her quirky comedy chops to the voice of Scuttle, the wacky seagull who becomes Ariel‘s trusted friend on land.
With beloved original composer Alan Menken returning alongside new lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda, the music also promises to captivate. And under the direction of Rob Marshall (Into the Woods, Mary Poppins Returns), the overall table seems set for a remake that does justice to the 1989 classic.
Key Cast Members:
| Role | Actor |
|---|---|
| Ariel | Halle Bailey |
| Prince Eric | Jonah Hauer-King |
| Ursula | Melissa McCarthy |
| King Triton | Javier Bardem |
| Scuttle | Awkwafina (voice) |
| Sebastian | Daveed Diggs |
Nostalgic Full Circle Moment for Diggs & Cast
Voicing Sebastian holds special nostalgic meaning for Diggs, who revealed he first watched the original Little Mermaid on the big screen as a 7-year old in 1989. Now over 30 years later, he gets to help bring one of his childhood favorites to a new generation.
In fact, several cast members have expressed similar nostalgic attachments. Halle Bailey recalls watching the film repeatedly as a little girl, awed by Ariel‘s adventurous spirit. Melissa McCarthy shares fond memories of singing along to the soundtrack.
It‘s a full circle moment for the cast to revisit such a beloved film from their childhoods. When asked about taking on such an iconic character, Diggs expressed feeling "lucky to get to be a part of something that was so meaningful to me as a child."
The Voice Behind Sebastian Poised to Shine
After much anticipation over the coveted role of Sebastian, Diggs seems perfectly poised to deliver a fresh and energetic, yet familiar take on the crab advisor audiences know and love.
Given his incredible talents displayed across music, television, and film, Diggs has all the skills needed to make Sebastian truly his own. Sneak peeks and interviews reveal an actor who clearly respects the character, tempered with his own unique flair.
While plot details are still scarce, the star-studded cast and Diggs‘ passion for the project signal The Little Mermaid remake could be worthy of the original‘s legacy. Come May 26th 2023, fans can finally hear for themselves the unique style Daveed Diggs brings as the new voice behind Sebastian when the film swims into theaters.
