After literally years of speculation, Variety has announced that Melissa McCarthy is THISCLOSE to helping some poor unfortunate souls in Disney’s live-action version of The Little Mermaid.
Sources tell Variety that while the deal is not yet completed, McCarthy is in early talks to play the sea witch Ursula in the live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.”
As Disney preps its live-action version of the undersea tale, there’s a lot of buzz about the cast. Disney and the production team behind it are looking to make contemporary and compelling casting choices, while still paying homage to the beloved animated original.
Since the project was announced (in early 2017), there has been much lobbying for the role to be played by either a drag queen or a QPOC. Little Mermaid’s original composer Alan Menken told Gay Times magazine that his fantasy casting would be none other than Harvey Fierstein.
“I’ve wanted Harvey,” he giggles when we ask who he’d like to see play delicious baddie Ursula – a role usually played by a female. “I’ve wanted Harvey Fierstein to play Ursula. I would kill for that!”
Other bold choices would have been, oh let’s see: Jackie Beat, Vicky Vox, Ginger Minj, Latrice Royale, Bianca del Rio, Darienne Lake, or Eureka O’Hara. Any ONE of them would kick ass.
Sigh.
And now we’ll never know what could have been
Another option? The incomparable Lizzo, who reeeeeally wanted the role.
But I’m sure Melissa will be wonderful. Right? RIGHT?
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(Photo: Avalon)
