Disney has been having some great success when it comes to converting their classic animated library into live-action ready blockbusters. The Little Mermaid is one of the next films to set down that path in the near future, with one hell of a team involved in the production process.
To make things even better, a new potential teammate is looking to join in on the excitement, as Melissa McCarthy is being courted to play the role of the film’s memorable villain, Ursula.
An report was made today that the two time Academy Award nominee’s name came up in negotiations for director Rob Marshall’s retelling of Ariel and her voyage to become part of our world. Of course, that journey comes at a bit of a cost, as the young sea princess runs into the enchantress Ursula, who promises to make her human. So long as she doesn’t mind parting with her voice in the process.
If the rumors about how director Rob Marshall’s live-action version of The Little Mermaid has been seeking out none other than Zendaya for the role of Ariel, this new casting news is something quite spectacular. Pitting Melissa McCarthy against one one of the stars of the breakout hit The Greatest Showman could be a brilliant stroke of casting, especially if McCarthy has the pipes to really dig deep and evil in her singing.
For all of the excitement this news from Variety has raised, there’s the possibility that Melissa McCarthy may not take the role, or may be superseded by another candidate. Right now, the potential Little Mermaid deal is in those crucial “early talks” phases. But should she land the role of Ursula, she’d be singing songs old and new written by original songwriter and Disney legend Alan Menken, as well as Moana’s songwriter and Mary Poppins Returns co-star Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Since the project is in its earliest phases of live, there’s plenty of time for The Little Mermaid to land its Ursula, and all of the other major leads it needs to secure in order to take audiences under the sea in the near future. Melissa McCarthy’s potential hiring is not only a wonderful start to the festivities, it’s the kind of talent a project of this stature needs to keep up with all of the other live-action spectaculars that Disney has planned for the future.
The Little Mermaid currently doesn’t have a release date, or production start date, in mind just yet. As soon as there’s any update, you’ll be able to find out about it here at CinemaBlend. In the meantime, our 2019 release schedule is available for perusal, just in case you want to find some excitement at the movies in a more immediate fashion.
