AceShowbiz - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) bosses are urging Disney executives to splash out on vegan treats for the cast and crew of "The Little Mermaid (2022)" when it shoots in Sardinia this summer (2021).

They note that the film's star, Halle Bailey, is already vegan and that fish-free dishes benefit the planet.

"['The Little Mermaid'] Ariel would recoil with horror at the thought of eating her pelagic pals and the 1989 [animated] film even includes a scene in which Sebastian the crab escapes a ruthless chef," PETA senior vice president Lisa Lange tells WENN. "PETA's message to Disney is simple: Fish are our friends - not hors d'oeuvres."

In her letter to Disney production president Sean Bailey, PETA's senior manager of Animals in Film and Television Lauren Thomasson, writes, "Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' got it right in 1989 - fish are intelligent, emotionally complex, and playful, and they experience pain just like we do."

"I'm writing on behalf of the many Disney fans at PETA and animal advocates everywhere to ask that the live-action production be completely Flounder-friendly by providing only tasty, vegan, fish-free food for the cast and crew on set. Eating vegan is the easiest and most effective way each of us can protect animals and our planet - just ask cast members Halle Bailey, a vegan, and marine life enthusiast Javier Bardem."

The animal rights organisation bosses have also asked Disney chiefs to consider not using real marine life in the film, replacing them with computer generated creatures.