Live Action Little Mermaid - Ursula?

[Jessetenny]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 6:27pm

Does anybody have any thoughts as to who could actually be playing Ursula in The Little Mermaid? I know Melissa McCarthy is reportedly in talks, but I do not think she is a great choice. Lizzo also expressed interest online, but I think she would be okay.

My top pick 100% would be Ginger Minj. Ginger can sing, act and murder every aspect of the role. Anybody who has doubts, look at her on RPDR Season 7 performing "Eggs, eggs, eggs." She would be flawless.



Curious to know what everyone else thinks.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 6:30pm

2-time Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy has it in the bag plus she’s sung with Barbra Streisand.

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 6:39pm

I love Lizzo, and I think she would be a great choice, tho I do agree having a drag queen like Ginger Minj, Titus Burgess, Alex Newell, or Harvey Fierstein (tho he's already doing the role) would work better than Melissa McCarthy. Like does McCarthy even sing? Her acting would be great, but the other people can at least sing the part

[Gizmo6]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 6:54pm

I don't know who Lizzo is but that video was dreadful. She hasn't the voice for it. 

As the Character was based on Divine, it should be cross gender casting. 

I doubt Disney is Brave enough though. Surely the Drag Race Alumni now are bankable? 

I have to say though Harvey Fierstein is my first choice. 

I don't see McCarthy in the role. 

Did anyone see Bianca in Jamie? Could he sing it? While I'd like a plus size actor I think if they want a bankable star Bianca has been selling out huge venues even arenas in here in London. 

 

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 7:12pm

Lizzo has an amazing voice. Id love to see her in that role, but I know it probably wouldn't happen.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 7:53pm

Everyone keeps bringing up the Divine connection, but seems to ignore the fact that even though the final look was inspired by Divine the voice was still done by Pat Carroll. And it's not like "Poor Unfortunate Souls" requires a great singer by any stretch of the imagination, so yes, I would say the singing is very secondary for Ursula.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 8:20pm

This is my choice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mz6tw5Zddg

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 8:24pm

Harvey.

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 9:43pm

I’d be surprised if Rebel Wilson’s name isn’t in the mix, even if she’s not my personal choice. My choice would be for this film to burn in Development Hell for all eternity.

[SpookyFish13]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 9:51pm

My #1 choice is also Ginger Minj. It just seems like the absolute perfect choice. But like others said, I feel like Disney isn’t quite there yet... (Although I really wish they would consider it!)

Also I have no idea if Lizzo has any acting chops, but she definitely has the pipes for it! Plus, she plays the flute beautifully! Imagine Disney taking some creative liberty and adding a creepy/soothing flute lullaby used by Ursula to lure in her victims. UGH that would be amazing.

But yeah, I guess Melissa McCarthy will do...

[Observation]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 11:32pm

I love Lizzo. But that video was a goddamn mess. If that's her trying to "audition" for the part, it would get a "Next!" 

Singing acapella is never a super wise choice, it came off as pitchy. 

I'm not a Ginger Minj fan, but after watching the vids that have made the rounds, I would 100% be ok with her taking on the role.

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 11:35pm

Observation said: "I love Lizzo. But that video was a goddamn mess. If that's her trying to "audition" for the part, it would get a "Next!"

Singing acapella is never a super wise choice, it came off as pitchy."

Agreed, I feel like if they made a demo instead, she could easily snag this role. See any live performance of her and you know she can rock the house as Ursula

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 11:49pm

LOL @ anyone thinking Lizzo doesn’t have the voice but Harvey does

[Gizmo6]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 5:59am

Alexander Lamar said: "LOL @ anyone thinking Lizzo doesn’t have the voice but Harvey does"

 

I don't know who Lizzo is but that video she posted was a mess. 

A voice isn't just about hitting notes it's about being able to carry a song and Lizzo's video was terrible on every count. If you want to be considered for something put the effort in. Her phrasing and acting were a mess. 

Here's Harvery knocking it out of the Park. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YigTnksviY

This is how you carry a song. 

[Kate Monster3]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 9:09am

sabrelady said: "This is my choice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mz6tw5Zddg"

Yeaaasssss! I watch this video every week, wishing this would come true one day. 

[IHeartNY2]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 9:49am

Harvey all the way!

[hak5]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 11:47am

URSALA MUST be played by a man in drag....  so yes 100% for Harvey

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 12:16pm

Gizmo6 said: "I don't know who Lizzo is but..."

Google... Google exists. We don't need to know if you are aware of people. It's fine if you don't like her for the role, but you not knowing her is irrelevant  

 

[bdn223]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 1:13pm

I think the issue a lot of people forget when it comes to dream casting of Ursula, is that SHE IS A MIDDLE AGED 'WOMAN'. Most of the names mentioned are in their late 20s and early 30s. Ursula is canonically based on Broadway and the original script King Titon's younger sister. He is canonically 1000+ years old, but looks like a man in his 50s. Thus Ursula should be in a similar age range as whoever is cast as Triton.  Thus a middle aged woman/drag queen would be what makes the most sense in the role. This doesn't even take into account that Pat Carroll was 62 when she first voiced Ursula. 

Sherrie Rene Scott was 40 when she played Ursula on Broadway, and many criticized her casting as ageist and against type compared to Carroll. Although I will say I love Scott's interpretation of Poor Unfortunate Soul, through turning it into a show stopping power ballad, instead of Carroll's spoken through version. 

Ursula should be played by a woman/man of a certain stature as she's a woman scored by society. She has been forced into exile for most of her life, whose only purpose in life for the past millennia is to made Faustian bargains with mermaids. Ursula is no Genie.  Yes, shes a larger then life character, but it actually comes from something. Ursula's campiness comes from her pain. She is very much akin to Mama Rose, in terms of pedigree, and should be cast as such. Is Melissa McCarthy perfect casting? I honestly don't know, but the fact they seem to be thinking outside of the camp box, seems like a good sign for the film going forward. Of the men floating around, the only one I think could do the role justice is Titus Burgess, but I also think he is 10 years too young for the role. I wouldn't be surprised if he is brought back to for the role of Sebastian, considering his multiple Emmy Nominees for Kimmy Schmidt, and the lack of any real names being thrown out there for the role. 

[JP2]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 1:14pm

It's 2019 and some of y'all want one of the greatest female villains to be payed by a man. I just...

 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 1:15pm

I mean it SHOULD be Keala Settle

[pmensky]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 2:42pm

Melissa is perfect. When the hair, makeup and costume goes on, you need a real actor with serious acting chops to tackle this role and bring this monster to life. The live action Ursula should be an ugly, slovenly, greedy and delicious maniac. No drag queen or pop singer mugging for the camera could that better than a real actor like Melissa.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 7/2/19 at 12:05pm

JP2 said: "It's 2019 and some of y'all want one of the greatest female villains to be payed by a man. I just...

"

Can you expand on what you are saying.the way I'm reading this is that you are saying that in 2019, the idea of a man playing Ursula is outdated, overdid or something, when it's really the opposite. Disney is not one for gender blind casting. Lol. In 2019, Disney should be more open minded with casting

Updated On: 7/2/19 at 12:05 PM

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 7/2/19 at 12:28pm

As long as Disney add in the song All Good Things Must End, I don’t care who plays Ursula 

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 7/2/19 at 12:30pm

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.