In a recent interview with The Hollywood ReporterOscar nominee Melissa McCarthy Part of her preparation to portray the villainous Ursula opens in the DisneyThe live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. He revealed that drag queens are one of his main inspirations for the fan-favorite sea witch.
“There’s something about Ursula, that irreverent humor, that bite, it’s her vulnerability, it’s her pain, it’s how you cover up, like what your armor is,” McCarthy explained. “I think Ursula it’s her makeup, it’s her stance, her posture, her acerbic wit,” the star said. “I think that’s what drag has done well and I think we’ve been doing it since the beginning of the season so I don’t really want to stop now.”
McCarthy is not alone in his comparison to drag. Indeed, Ursula herself was inspired by the famous drag queenHoly.
Who Was in The Little Mermaid?
The Little Mermaid directed by Rob Marshall from a screenplay written by David Magee, based on the iconic 1989 animated film of the same name. The live-action movie stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Awkwafina as Scuttle, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, and Noma Dumezweni as the Queen Selina.
The upcoming film is paired lin manuel miranda and Alan Menken to create a blend of two beloved songs from the original and new music. Miranda and Marshall also work together on Mary Poppins is back.
“The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most rebellious, Ariel longs to know more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the cruel Prince Eric,” said the Synopsis. “While mermaids are forbidden to associate with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. He makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, who gives him a chance to experience life on land but ultimately puts his life — and his father’s crown — in danger.”
Disney’s animated The Little Mermaid grossed more than $211 million at the box office and became a bestseller on home video, popularizing songs like “Under The Sea” and “Part of Your World.” The upcoming film is based on the short story by Hans Christian Andersen and the 1989 Disney animated film by Ron Clements and John Musker.
The live-action adaptation is set to hit theaters on May 26.