Movie Buzz: Dirty pool with Mermaid?

Thursday, Oct. 16, 1997 | 3:38 a.m.

Coincidence? It is, according to Disney. The mouse folks say plans to re-release "Mermaid" have been around since before "Anastasia" was in production. We might be able to write this off as a schedluling conflict, however rumor has it Disney will do it again. The popular animated "Beauty and the Beast" will have about eight minutes restored, including the song "Human Again."

"Beast" will be re-released next year and will go up against DreamWorks' first animated venture, "Prince of Egypt." Hmmmmm ... "Beast" was spearheaded by former Disney exec Jeffrey Katzenberg. So is "Prince of Egypt." Now, Disney may pit the "Beast" against Katzenberg's new baby.

Can someone say "sour grapes"?

* Disney says 'Nuts' to 'Zippers': Speaking of "The Little Mermaid," Walt Disney Records has scrapped its plan to include the Squirrel Nut Zippers' newly recorded version of "Under The Sea" on the re-release of the soundtrack to "Mermaid," due Nov. 4. Both Disney and the band were unhappy with the recording. The band's label, Mammoth, says the session could eventually surface as a bonus track on a single.

* Back on 'Trek': Huzzah! Paramount gave into Brent Spiner's demand for more money and he's set to earn between $5 million and $6 million for reprising his role of Data in the next installment of the successful "Star Trek" movie franchise. Meanwhile, Jonathan Frakes (who plays Riker) is set to return as director after his very successful debut effort with "Star Trek: First Contact."

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