Disney is currently working on a live-action remake of
The Little Mermaid. Halle Bailey
will star as the titular character of Ariel, while Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina will play Flounder and Scuttle respectively. There have also been reports that Harry Styles
is up for the role of Prince Eric, Javier Bardem
is up for the role of King Triton, and that Melissa McCarthy is
in talks to play Ursula.
The latter comedic actress recently did an interview with
Variety in which she played coy about those supposed casting talks. The talks have almost certainly happened, just based on McCarthy's look into the camera and swift departure — check it out below. It's just a matter of her casting having not officially been announced yet and/or her and Disney not having come to a final decision just yet.
Asked about Queen Latifah having been cast as the evil sea witch in
ABC's upcoming live telecast of the iconic under-the-sea tale and whether we could expect an Ursula duet from the two, McCarthy said that she had no idea what they were on about.
"Oh! What do you mean? I don't know."
The actress did go on to admit that she'll certainly be tuning in to check out the telecast of the musical as she's a big fan of Queen Latifah.
"'Ladies First'. That's all I'll say. I love Queen Latifah so much. I still have my cassette tape of 'Ladies First'. Cassette! Does that date me? She can do anything. I'll be both hands on [my] chin, watching her."