Jacob Tremblay understands the confusion when fans appear surprised that heB次元官网网址檚 now 16 years old.

The Vancouver-raised child star who burst onto the scene as a pint-sized phenom in 2015B次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淩oomB次元官网网址� says heB次元官网网址檚 grown a lot since the abduction drama brought him critical acclaim.

His latest film is DisneyB次元官网网址檚 live-action adaptation of B次元官网网址淭he Little Mermaid.B次元官网网址�

After walking the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere, he notes that internet comments seemed focused on how tall he is now.

B次元官网网址淚 was eight (years old), like, eight years ago,B次元官网网址� he says, briefly pausing to consider the time gap during a recent promotional stop in Toronto.

B次元官网网址淚t makes sense actually. Because of COVID we were on lockdown, I went into the pandemic at 12 or 13 and came out at 16.

B次元官网网址淚t almost feels like a Thanos snap,B次元官网网址� he says referencing the Marvel villain who wields incredible powers with the snap of his fingers.

For his latest role, Tremblay voices Flounder, a tropical fish who is the best friend Ariel, a mermaid who gives up her life in the sea and her voice to be with a human prince.

Ariel is played by Halle Bailey, one-half of the Grammy-nominated R&B sister pair Chloe x Halle.

Melissa McCarthy plays the villainous sea witch Ursula, Daveed Diggs is Sebastian the crab and Awkwafina voices an eccentric seagull, Scuttle.

Tremblay says he was a bit nervous taking on his role.

B次元官网网址淭he songs and film were always on repeat as I grew up, so to be a part of something that was going to be introduced to newer audiences made me feel a lot of pressure,B次元官网网址� he says.

Adding to the pressure was internet backlash to the CG-photorealistic appearance of Flounder, which critics said lacked the cuteness of the 2D original.

B次元官网网址淚 thought it all looked pretty cool and worked really well because the sea life looked very real and recognizable and to see them dance together in that realized way, I think made it very magical,B次元官网网址� says Tremblay.

Tremblay also sings for the first time in the film, and notes he had to do this in front of esteemed singers Bailey and Diggs.

Youth was actually an asset during the recording, says Tremblay, who was 13 at the time.

B次元官网网址淢y voice has changed so much since then, so it was far easier to hit those high notes,B次元官网网址� he says.

B次元官网网址淚f I were ever to revisit it, I donB次元官网网址檛 think I could ever do nearly as good of a job as I did, because like everyone can tell, IB次元官网网址檝e grown.B次元官网网址�

TremblayB次元官网网址檚 other roles have included the 2017 Julia Roberts drama B次元官网网址淲onder,B次元官网网址� as a child with craniofacial differences, and the lead voice in PixarB次元官网网址檚 2021 animated film B次元官网网址淟uca,B次元官网网址� about a 13-year-old who looks and lives like a fish but takes human form on land.

Tremblay says he started acting B次元官网网址渏ust for fun,B次元官网网址� and that it has since turned into B次元官网网址渁 passion for filmmaking.B次元官网网址�

Moving forward, heB次元官网网址檚 far more interested in being behind the camera than in front of it.

B次元官网网址淒irecting, screenwriting and producing have been elements IB次元官网网址檝e been passionate about lately,B次元官网网址� he says.

Tremblay credits his relatively normal home life in Langley, B.C., with keeping him grounded when giants like Disney knock at his door.

B次元官网网址淚 still go to public school and whatB次元官网网址檚 cool is that IB次元官网网址檝e kind of lived in the same neighbourhood the majority of my life, so everyone there knows me and sees me as a regular dude,B次元官网网址� he says.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e also learned over the years that itB次元官网网址檚 very important to be humble and understand that weB次元官网网址檙e all people. I really pay attention to make sure that none of this ever gets to my head and that I stay a level person B次元官网网址� I prioritize kindness over anything.B次元官网网址�

The Canadian Press