Special Effects Artist Sues 'The Little Mermaid’ Producers Over On-Set Injury

Special effects artist Christine Overs is suing The Walt Disney Company for £150,000 ($190,000) over an on-set injury that took place while she was working on the live-action “The Little Mermaid" film.

Christine Overs, who is a special effects artist who specializes in making beach and snow sets, says she was sculpting a lagoon scene for the live-action film at Pinewood Studios in October 2020, when she fell from a polystyrene step onto a concrete floor and broke her wrist, according to Variety's report which references The Times of London.

Overs claims that the reason she fell was because the production company had failed “provide any adequate access to the set.”

Per their report, "Overs told the Central London county court that following the accident, which required surgery and the insertion of steel pins into her arm, she struggles even to do up buttons and zips. Given her work requires fine finger movements, the incident had ruined the final years of her career and left her with a 'substantial level of disability,' the court heard. She also reportedly still suffers from pain, disturbed sleep and swelling."

According to The Times, Sandcastle Pictures, which is the Disney-owned production company responsible for the set and shoot, have admitted liability for the fall, but are disputing the figure Overs is seeking.

A legal trial is set to take place at a later date, which will determine the amount.

The live-action "The Little Mermaid" film stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, and Jacob Tremblay as Flounder.

Disney describes the film as:

'The Little Mermaid' is visionary filmmaker Rob Marshall’s live-action reimagining of Disney’s beloved animated musical classic, the story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy. “The Little Mermaid” is directed by Rob Marshall with a screenplay by David Magee, and is produced by Marc Platt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John DeLuca and Rob Marshall."

Despite backlash surrounding Halle Bailey being cast as Ariel, the Disney film topped the box office by bringing in over $95 million opening weekend. The film went on to bring in $117.5 million in its first four days in theaters in the United States.

Soon, fans of Ariel will be able to stream the new live-action film as Disney announced “The Little Mermaid” will hit Disney+ on September 6.

In addition to “The Little Mermaid” coming to Disney+, Disney Branded Television also recently announced that they have a new animated series in the works featuring Ariel, who will be inspired by Halle Bailey’s Ariel in the new live-action film.