Live Action Little Mermaid - Ursula?

[DramaTeach]

Ursula is the best character in the whole thing. She is deliciously wicked, not funny. I don't need Melissa McCarthy hamming it up (and I don't dislike her). Wasn't a fan of Sherie Rene Scott's interpretation. Disney already messed up the movie Jafar by not finding something who could capture his villainous tone. Hope they don't mess this one up too. Another vote for Titus or Harvey, please.

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Wasn't Gaga being considered? 

[FosseTharp]

According to Variety, Awkwafina and Jacob Tremblay have signed on to play Scuttle and Flounder, respectively.

This is the second musical film adaptation recently announced where Awkwafina has been cast in a male role! Maybe the poster who asked “what’s an Awkwafina?” Will now learn how to google.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

I think Melissa is a solid choice for Ursula. Would I love Alex Newell or Titus Burgess? Hell yes. But come on. Of course Disney won’t cast a drag queen as Ursula, despite the history. Imagine the amount of conservatives (a big chunk of the consumers) who will crap their pants over it and won’t take their kids/grandkids to the movie. It’s the same reason why Elsa can’t be a lesbian in Frozen 2. Disney is a BUSINESS sadly.

[SchuylWERKsister]

Tina Turner would have annihilated this just 10 years ago. Heck, she might still be able to. The voice, the sex appeal, mystery, pain. She has all the dynamics, she would just need a strong director.

[Brian07663NJ]

I think the point when people say "Lizzo? Who is Lizzo?" is that especially for the biggest characters: Ariel, Ursula...Disney, Hollywood and the movie going public will want a "name". They will want an instantly recognizable, bankable name on those roles. It doesn't mean Lizzo doesn't have the chops to do the role...it is just that she isn't as known as Melissa McCarthy. I never heard of Awkwafina but that person is the role of Scuttle and I wouldn't buy (or not buy) my ticket based upon that character. I also watched Lizzo's video performance of Ursula and sorry...it was not a spectacular performance at all. Harvey was much better in the posted Hollywood Bowl video. Titus Burgess had some good moments but it wasn't solid for me. Ursula is also my favorite villain. I did see Sherrie Rene Scott's performance on Broadway and I did not like her interpretation.

[YvanEhtNioj]

Halle Bailey is playing Ariel!

Disney's Live-Action Little Mermaid Casts Halle Bailey as Ariel

[jbroadway4]

She’s going to be perfect in this role! Voice of an angel! I’ve always said she should play Ti Moune in a film adaptation of “Once on this Island”, which is funny considering OOTI is loosely based off The Little Mermaid (right?).

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Her voice is absolutely gorgeous, and she has a very “innocent”/ingenue look to her, so this casting is great. As much as I like Zendaya, I’m glad it wasn’t her cast- she seems a bit too mature and levelheaded for Ariel specifically.

[YvanEhtNioj]

Its been an hour (IF THAT) and people are already being racist AF. Then trying to cover it up with "its because she's not a read head!"

If Halle can play Ariel, then Lizzo is well-known enough to play Ursala. 

[JP2]

Doesn't mater. The role is going to Melissa McCarthy (a two time Oscar nominee)... Why are we still acting like it's up for grabs?

[\_(•_•)_/]

Lizzo doesnt behave well enough for the “disney image”.

Ursula is McCarthy. Give it up

[MemorableUserName]

If anything, this should confirm exactly why they're going with McCarthy, when Queen Latifah would have been an obvious and better choice. I don't believe for a second Disney would be daring enough to cast both Ariel and Ursula with black actresses.

Bailey is adorable, and I'm glad to hear they're going with a real singer (which is more vital for this Disney princess than any other). If her casting means we have to have McCarthy, so be it.

[YvanEhtNioj]

I'm aware that Lizzo wont be Ursula. My point is that Halle and Lizzo have the same amount of "celebrity" since people keep saying "Lizzo Who?"

[YvanEhtNioj]

MemorableUserName said: "If anything, this should confirm exactly why they're going with McCarthy, when Queen Latifah would have been an obvious and better choice."

."

I would've been down with that. 

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Oh, she is beautiful! Congrats Halle!

Queen Latifah should definitely be Ursula, especially if they keep the aunt-niece relationship from the musical and the original version of the movie 

[perfectliar]

_(•_&bull_/ said: "Lizzo doesnt behave well enough for the “disney image”.

Ursula is McCarthy. Give it up"

There are going to be some seriously icky undertones to having a white Ursula try to steal the voice of a black Ariel.

[MemorableUserName]

perfectliar said: "There are going to be some seriously icky undertones to having a white Ursula try to steal the voice of a black Ariel."

Good point. Hopefully they still have time to change their minds and go with Queen Latifah. Disney even knows she's perfect since they've already shown us exactly what she would look like in the part:

https://cdn1.parksmedia.wdprapps.disney.com/media/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/alp333828SMALL.jpg

I mean, come on:

https://waltdisneyanimation.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/queen-latifah-annie-leibovitz-disney-051.jpg

I can already hear her saying, "Never underestimate the importance of...body language!"

 

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Uggghhhh, it was almost Hailey Kilgore!

https://twitter.com/Skylerhxc/status/1146507797216940032

[NOWaWarning]

There are going to be some seriously icky undertones to having a white Ursula try to steal the voice of a black Ariel.

Well I think icky undertones are just fine for the villain of the piece.

 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Tons of racial-insensitive comments under the film’s IG post about the Ariel casting. I looked in hopes people were as excited as I was...really disappointing.

She’s going to be phenomenal. McCarthy will be serviceable, but I doubt it will be anything to write home about. They could have done much better for Ursula.

[\_(•_•)_/]

disneybroadwayfan22 said: "Uggghhhh, it was almost Hailey Kilgore!

https://twitter.com/Skylerhxc/status/1146507797216940032"

That explains the Muse tweet I guess! 

[haterobics]

I thought it said Halle Berry was going to be the mermaid, and I was very confused.

[Impossible2]

haterobics said: "I thought it said Halle Berry was going to be the mermaid, and I was very confused."

So did I LOL

[perfectliar]

NOWaWarning said: "There are going to be some seriously icky undertones to having a white Ursula try to steal the voice of a black Ariel.

Well I think icky undertones are just finefor the villain of the piece."

I sincerely hope you can understand the difference in feeling icky because someone is a Disney villain and feeling icky because you're seeing a metaphor for centuries of racial tension and disrespect played out on screen.