Actress Melissa McCarthy landed the role of Ursula in Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, and she just couldn’t be happier.
“The world of Disney and (director) Rob Marshall is a world that I wish everyone could experience because it’s so creative, kind, and lovely,” the Ghostbusters actress gushed. “Going to singing class every day, I got to record with an orchestra, which is a mind-bender for someone who is not a singer, but it was such a fun process.”
The new take on the story of Ariel has been in the works for a while now, and though filming has ended, the release date isn’t slated for a while yet: 2023, to be exact.
The film is directed by Rob Marshall. Original composer Alan Menken has been on hand to create music for the new film, and the ever-talented Lin-Manuel Miranda has lent his creative talents to music for the film as well.
Grownish actress Halle Bailey stars as Ariel in the retelling of the tale of the mermaid who longs for legs and her willingness to do what it takes to get them. This is Bailey’s first major film role.
Javier Bardem plays Ariel’s father, King Triton, and Jonah Hauer-King plays the role of Ariel’s love interest, Prince Eric. (Sorry, Harry Styles.)
Actress Awkwafina plays Scuttle the Seagull, and Daveed Diggs plays King Triton’s chief assistant crustacean, Sebastian, and Jacob Tremblay plays Ariel’s sidekick (or sideswimmer?) Flounder.
Melissa McCarthy, who says Ursula is one of her favorite villains, happily plays the role of the evil sea witch who hopes to take Ariel’s voice and keep her from Prince Eric.
“It’s going to be incredible,” McCarthy shared. “To me, Ursula is everything. She’s one of my absolute favorite villains so to play her was delicious.”
Though it’s not her first major role, The Little Mermaid will be the first musical in which McCarthy has starred, and we can’t wait to see the transformation of McCarthy into the half-human/half-octopus Ursula!
