Melissa McCarthy Might Play Ursula In The Live-Action “Little Mermaid”
Lizzo was robbed and so was my senior year of high school Semantics teacher Mrs. Dougherty cuz’ all that lady needed was the vehicular tentacles. Melissa McCarthy is reportedly in early talks to play sea witch baddie Ursula in the upcoming live-action version of The Little Mermaid. But does the undoubtedly-soon-to-be-cast-as Ariel Lindsay Lohan sign off on this? Lindsay – thoughts?
Variety reports that, if she’s cast, this would be one of Melissa’s first family-friendly roles. Normally her characters are following through into sinks and welcomingly mocking inept White House press secretaries.
Chicago director Rob Marshall is overseeing the remake of the 1989 classic which will feature the classic songs as well as some new additions by Alan Menken and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Disney’s recent gameplan of turning all of their animated properties into live-action flicks is working for them.
Adapting classic animated pics into live-action features is a strategy that has been going strong for the studio, most recently with its live-action remake of “Aladdin,” which has grossed $820 million worldwide.
The animated Lion King, starring a whole bunch of A-list types including Beyonce, opens next month.
There’s no word yet on other casting maybes, but the studio is trying “to make contemporary and compelling casting choices, while still paying homage to the beloved animated original.”
Melissa McCarthy’s a pretty good choice but Lizzo would have been one of those “contemporary and compelling casting choices.” She even made a video of herself performing Ursula’s signature tune, “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” in anticipation of an audition.
I’M URSULA. PERIOD. @Disney pic.twitter.com/9YPVPPvVpz
— |L I Z Z O| (@lizzo) November 1, 2018
Hollywood Life had the reaction of Lizzo’s fans.
“I am vetoing this already. We done told yall to cast @lizzo. @Disney,” a user named Tre’vell tweeted. “#Ursula was based on ballroom drag queens, so this role made for a plus size Black woman, woman aligned person, or drag queen. Someone who has camp experience. Someone like @lizzo, Titus Burgess or @Peppermint247,” another fan wrote. A man named George tweeted “TS Madison, Lizzo, Danielle Brooks. That’s the list. That’s it. Cast one of them or keep it on the playground.”
Lizzo was sad when she heard the news.
— |L I Z Z O| (@lizzo) June 28, 2019
Lizzo would have been fabulous as Ursula. She could have pictured those security guards who reportedly harassed her makeup artists at a festival when she needed to summon her character’s hatred for that annoying Ariel.
Pic: WENN/Disney