Melissa McCarthy Was Shocked She Got Ursula Role Instead of Lizzo

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+, Uncategorized

Via DisDining.com

All the way back in 2016, Disney announced that they were developing a live-action remake of the classic film, The Little Mermaid. The remake was just one of many remakes Disney was going to remake. Disney has also remade Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Pete’s Dragon, The Lion King, and Mulan, among others.

Details on The Little Mermaid were scant, but over time, it was announced that Halle Bailey would be playing the titular sea creature. Javier Bardem was also announced for the role of the sea king, King Triton. Hamilton star Daveed Diggs was given the role of Sebastian and comedian Awkwafina will be playing Ariel’s friend Scuttle.

Little Mermaid casting

Also cast in the new movie is veteran comedic actress Melissa McCarthy — who will play the sea witch Ursula. Some were surprised to see McCarthy cast in a musical role, considering she has never been in a musical. One of those who was surprised — and slightly disappointed — was superstar singer Lizzo. Lizzo had expressed interest in the past for The Little Mermaid role.

The songstress even shared a video of herself dressed as Ursula and singing the song “Poor Unfortunate Souls”.

Lizzo recently spoke to Variety and shared that she had actually run into Melissa McCarthy and told her that she had auditioned for the role McCarthy ended up getting. Per Variety:

Lizzo ended up running into McCarthy during the taping of Adele’s “One Night Only” CBS concert special in Los Angeles, and the two women bonded over their shared Ursula history.

“She was like, ‘Hi, I’m Melissa,’” Lizzo said. “And I was like, ‘Hi, I’m Melissa. And I also auditioned for Ursula.’ And she was like, ‘Well, why the hell did I get the part?,’ which is a classic Melissa McCarthy thing to say. And then I was like, ‘Girl, because my audition was terrible.’ And I say that as Tyler Perry walks by. And I was like — ruined my chances there. And then she goes, ‘This is my daughter Vivian.’ And I’m like, ‘Get out of here, because my name is Melissa Viviane.’ We were looking at each other like, ‘What the hell is going on?’”

Melissa McCarthy

After a series of delays due to COVID, filming has wrapped on the live-action film, and it is currently in post-production. Disney has announced that the film will be released on Memorial Day weekend, hitting theaters on May 26, 2023. Even though the film is being released later than originally expected, Bailey has assured fans that it is worth the wait.

Actress Melissa McCarthy As Ursula

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

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!