Disney’s animated movies are full of magic, adventure, and romance, but they also have some hidden connections that might surprise you. One of the most intriguing fan theories that has been circulating on the internet for a while is that Hercules, the hero of the 1997 movie Hercules, and Ariel, the mermaid princess of the 1989 movie The Little Mermaid, are actually cousins. How is that possible, you might ask? Well, it all has to do with Greek mythology and a little family tree.
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The Mythological Origins of Hercules and Ariel
Hercules and Ariel are both based on characters from different sources of folklore and legend. Hercules is inspired by the Greek myth of Heracles, the son of Zeus and a mortal woman named Alcmene. Zeus was the king of the gods and the ruler of Mount Olympus, but he also had a habit of cheating on his wife Hera with various women and nymphs. Hera was very jealous and often tried to sabotage Zeus’s affairs and offspring. Heracles was one of Zeus’s most famous children, and he had to endure many trials and challenges imposed by Hera and other enemies.
Ariel, on the other hand, is loosely based on the fairy tale of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. In this story, a young mermaid falls in love with a human prince and makes a deal with a sea witch to become human for a day. However, she has to give up her voice as part of the bargain, and if she fails to win the prince’s love, she will die. The original story has a tragic ending, but Disney changed it to a happy one where Ariel marries the prince and becomes human permanently.
The Family Connection Between Hercules and Ariel
So how are these two characters related? Well, it turns out that they share a common ancestor: Zeus. According to Greek mythology, Zeus had two brothers: Poseidon and Hades. Poseidon was the god of the sea and the father of Triton, who was often depicted as a merman with a trident. Triton was the king of the seas and the father of Ariel and her six sisters. This means that Triton and Hercules were first cousins, since they were both sons of Zeus’s brothers. And this also means that Ariel and Hercules were second cousins, since they were both grandchildren of Zeus.
Of course, this connection is not explicitly stated or confirmed by Disney, and it might not have been intended by the creators of the movies. However, it is a fun and interesting way to look at these characters and their stories from a different perspective. It also shows how Disney has used various sources of inspiration for its animated movies, sometimes creating unexpected links between them.
The Similarities Between Hercules and Ariel
Aside from their mythological origins and their family ties, Hercules and Ariel also have some similarities in their personalities and their journeys. Both of them are curious and adventurous, eager to explore new worlds and learn more about themselves. Both of them are also naive and impulsive, making deals with villains that put them in danger. Both of them are also brave and loyal, willing to fight for what they believe in and protect their loved ones.
Hercules and Ariel also have some parallels in their romantic relationships. Both of them fall in love with someone from a different world: Hercules with Megara, a former servant of Hades who betrayed him; and Ariel with Eric, a human prince who saved her from drowning. Both of them have to overcome obstacles and enemies to be with their true love: Hercules has to prove himself as a true hero by saving Megara from Hades; and Ariel has to regain her voice and defeat Ursula, the sea witch who tricked her. Both of them also have to make a choice between staying in their original world or joining their partner in theirs: Hercules gives up his immortality to live with Megara on Earth; and Ariel becomes human permanently to marry Eric.
The Future of Hercules and Ariel
Hercules and Ariel are two of Disney’s most beloved characters, and they have appeared in various media over the years. They have both had sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, books, musicals, merchandise, and more. They have also been part of various crossover events, such as Kingdom Hearts , House of Mouse , Ralph Breaks the Internet , Disney Princesses , Disney Heroes , Disney Villains , etc.
However, they have never met each other on screen or acknowledged their family connection. Perhaps this will change in the future, as Disney is planning to make live-action remakes of both movies. The Little Mermaid remake is already in production, with Halle Bailey as Ariel , Jonah Hauer-King as Eric , Melissa McCarthy as Ursula , Javier Bardem as Triton , Daveed Diggs as Sebastian , Jacob Tremblay as Flounder , Awkwafina as Scuttle , and Noma Dumezweni as Carlotta. The Hercules remake is still in development, with no cast or release date announced yet. However, there are rumors that Chris Pratt , Tom Holland , or Alexander Skarsgård could play Hercules , and that Ariana Grande , Zendaya , or Janelle Monáe could play Megara .
It would be interesting to see if these remakes will explore the connection between Hercules and Ariel, or if they will keep them separate. Either way, fans can still enjoy the original movies and their fan theories, and imagine what would happen if these two cousins ever met.
