By Mieka Strawhorn | Film | October 18, 2018 |
By Mieka Strawhorn | Film | October 18, 2018 |
Earlier this week, ScreenRant posted an article claiming there was a rumor that Lady Gaga was “high up on Disney’s wish list” to play the role of Ursula The Sea Witch in an upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. While some folks on Twitter embraced the idea of the Mother of Monsters getting her mollusk on, others were less than stoked at the idea of a skinny blond snagging one of the only roles out there calling for a big fat badass bitch.
Little Mermaid Rumor: Lady Gaga Possibly Up for Ursula Role - https://t.co/uNmB5ibKN2 pic.twitter.com/lccAqofiXo
— Screen Rant (@screenrant) October 10, 2018
With Zendaya already rumored to be the front-runner for the role of Ariel (which, nope, sorry. Zendaya is Meechee. Period. Forever and forever, amen), people #tooktotwitter to express their thoughts on the matter.
Just imagine if Zendaya was Ariel and Lady Gaga was Ursula. A $1 Billion hit pic.twitter.com/drW38pvJah
— mööásá†áŽªá’ (@comicvix) October 9, 2018
I love Gaga, and also, Ursula needs to be played by the baddest fat person that Disney can find. We will accept nothing less. https://t.co/aP2DITnKR0
— Evette Dionne 🤷ðŸ¾â€â™€ï¸ (@freeblackgirl) October 11, 2018
With a quickness, the dream-casting began with Lizzo becoming a clear front-runner. And why the fuck not? She’s got the voice, she got the attitude, and she’s got the body-ody-ody to pull it off. I’d definitely be on high alert if Lizzo oozed out from under a rock with a sultry smile and a shady proposition. Even better, Lizzo is down to clown. Disney, take note: She ready.
Just gonna put this back out there.
— |L I Z Z O| (@lizzo) October 14, 2018
🗣IT IS MY DREAM TO PLAY URSULA IN THE LIL MERMAID
Here’s my audition tape… @Disney pic.twitter.com/VGB9SW8GBY
Others on Twitter have pointed out that the character of Ursula was actually based on drag legend Divine and should, therefore, be played by a drag queen. According to The AV Club:
Early on, The Little Mermaid’s directors and animators created several iterations of Ursula. One was a manta ray inspired by Joan Collins. Another was a “beautiful but deadly” scorpion fish, recalled director John Musker. None worked, until an animator named Rob Minkoff drew a vampy overweight matron who everyone agreed looked a lot like Divine.
If I could, just for a moment, cry a single tear for the loss of a Joan Collins inspired Disney villain? Of course I’m glad they went with Divine inspiration, but they could have pulled the Joan Collins baddie out for another movie. Although I guess we’ll always have Cruella. At any rate, the idea of a drag queen playing Ursula seemed to spark excitement.
@TheGingerMinj or nothing pic.twitter.com/zqV5QarC7E
— Justin Shameless (@justinshameless) October 10, 2018
Some have suggested that Ursula should really be played by a black woman, given her strong Auntie Who Don’t Take No Shit vibe.
I like Gaga but Ursula is a black Auntie. See Queen Latifah. pic.twitter.com/oSMLUqwdQT
— Thicky Valencourt (@fabfreshandfly) October 11, 2018
And with that, the field opened up to a plethora of black actresses who could positively slay as Ursula.
I LOVE Lady Gaga but Queen Latifah would be an AMAIZING Ursula in the live action Little Mermaid! pic.twitter.com/QaXrUT4Bz8
— IG: Danielthomasnyc (@Deshasuxx) October 14, 2018
If @YNB or @thedanieb aren't playing Ursula in the live-action version of "The Little Mermaid ", I don't want it. pic.twitter.com/wGT0Yuziwm
— Jordan Simon (@jordansimon78) October 16, 2018
New #KeepIt: Where’s the petition to cast @JeniferLewis as Ursula? https://t.co/qBdBvYwVM7
— Louis Virtel (@louisvirtel) October 17, 2018
Here’s The Roots suggestions for Ursula, which include several drag queens in possession of the cunning, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to bring Ursula to undulating life.
Hey @Disney,
— The Root (@TheRoot) October 12, 2018
Ursula should be played by a black woman or drag queen & if you need some suggestions, we’ve got you https://t.co/2tEkEuy1E8
1 @IAMQUEENLATIFAH
2 @monetxchange
3 @thedanieb
4 @TsMadisonatl1
5 @missjillscott
6 @TitussBurgess
7 @LatriceRoyale
8 @thatonequeen pic.twitter.com/SM9KpVlLnq
Of the folks on that list, I think the most inspired choice would be the immensely talented Tituss Burgess.
Like make Titus the new Ursula so we don’t have to do this anymore. pic.twitter.com/bK77jBydgl
— Lara Jean Song Covey’s Favorite Scrunchie (@FL_Classy) October 12, 2018
Not only can he sing and act, he’s already been in The Little Mermaid on Broadway. And he wanted to play Ursula, but they wouldn’t let him Be Best. They cast him as Sebastian The Problematic Crab. That didn’t stop Titus from grabbing the mic and getting down to nefarious sea business at his own cabaret though.
Now, I’ve already expressed my opinion on Zendaya as Ariel (#NEVERNOTMEECHEE), so here is one final casting suggestion that only the internet could dream up.
go head and make tiffany haddish Ursula 🙄 https://t.co/ajlNivg9v3
— 🎃SP00KY👻 (@ThaeguPrincess) October 18, 2018
And while we’re at it, I’ll throw this on the pile.
Joe Jonas as Ursula and Priyanka Chopra as Ariel? Any takers? No? Ok, I’ll squeeze myself back under my rock now.