This story just came out on Comicbook.com! I absolutely love Melissa McCarthy so I hope this happens. Here’s what they had to say!
Disney continues to mine their library of animated classics and work is kicking into high gear on their live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Now one of their most iconic villains is getting one of the biggest stars in Hollywood to bring her to life, as Melissa McCarthy is in talks to portray the evil underwater witch Ursula in the new movie.
A new report from Variety indicates that the deal has not yet been finalized, and that these are early discussions for McCarthy to join the new movie from Mary Poppins Returns director Rob Marshall. The movie does not yet have a release date, but Walt Disney Studios has already earmarked a few dates over the coming years that it could easily slot into based on how swiftly production kicks off.
Ursula has maintained a status as a fan-favorite villain in the Disney films over the last few decades, and her song “Poor Unfortunate Souls” by original actress Pat Carroll remains a cult classic among the zealots.
Ursula was infamously modeled after the popular drag icon Divine who starred in the theatrical version of Hairspray, though the actor passed away before he could participate in the production of the 1989 film.
Marshall is excited to update the film for a new generation and the director previously spoke to ComicBook about adding new musical numbers to the classic soundtrack.
“There are things I’ve learned about how you have to work to integrate songs into story, and how it has to feel earned. It can’t just be sort of put there, placed there, because you feel there should be a song,” Marshall said.
“It has to be a song that’s earned, that takes you there. And so as we’re working on, in a way, fleshing out The Little Mermaid — Ariel has one song in the animated film — and so we’re looking for maybe more material.”
This story is developing and will be updated with more information.
—–Thank you comicbook.com for the information and pic!
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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