The upcoming live-action adaptation of Disney’s beloved classic, The Little Mermaid, has been the talk of the town. While the lead actors Halle Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King are taking on the roles of Ariel and Prince Eric respectively, it’s the portrayal of the villainous Ursula by Melissa McCarthy that has garnered the most attention.
Director Rob Marshall recently opened up about the challenging task of bringing the character of Ursula to life, which was inspired by the legendary drag queen Divine. He shared his experience of keeping Ursula true to her drag roots and how the larger-than-life character posed a daunting challenge for him and his team.
To embody the character’s larger-than-life persona, Marshall was looking for someone who could bring humor, depth, and a powerful singing voice, in addition to being plus-sized. Fate led him to Melissa McCarthy, who not only met but exceeded the brief, thanks to her roots in the drag and comedy world. McCarthy’s experience in the New York drag scene as Miss Y meant she was well-aware of where the character started and what it represented.
McCarthy’s Ursula, unlike the original character, will play King Triton’s estranged sister and Ariel’s aunt. Her portrayal of Ursula has been praised for bringing “humanity” to the role while paying homage to Divine. McCarthy’s inspiration from Divine has been evident throughout the film, with the actress admitting that there is a drag queen who lives inside her, always on the verge of going full-time.
The portrayal of Ursula required eight dancers as her tentacles, a harnessed costume, a see-saw, and all-around “cutting edge” equipment. According to Marshall, it was like ballet. Bailey, who plays Ariel, has also praised McCarthy for her portrayal of Ursula, which she said was beautiful and stunning.
The Little Mermaid is set to release on May 26, and fans are excited to see how McCarthy’s portrayal of Ursula will pan out. The film is not only a tribute to the animated classic but also a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and its influence on popular culture.