Melissa McCarthymight be going under the sea.The 48-year-old actress is in talks to star as Ursula in Disney’s live-action remake ofThe Little Mermaid.Varietyfirst reported the news.A rep for McCarthy did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.Rob Marshall, who directedMary Poppins Returns, is taking on directing duties. Songs from the original 1989 animated film will be included in the live-action film, as well as new songs from Alan Menken andLin-Manuel Miranda.Miranda, who rose to fame with his Broadway hitIn the HeightsandHamilton, is also a co-producer on the film.The story centers on the mermaid Ariel who yearns to live among humans and finds her wish granted when she trades her voice for legs from the sea witch, Ursula.Steve Granitz/WireImage; DisneyThe original animated film featured the voice of Jodi Benson as Ariel. The film earned $84 million at the U.S. box office and $233 million worldwide.Disney has released a string of live-action films based on their animated classics, such as the recentAladdin,Dumbo, The Jungle BookandCinderella.The studio will releaseThe Lion Kingnext month which stars Donald Glover as Simba and Beyoncé as Nala.James Earl Jones reprises his role as Mufasa. Seth Rogen, Keegan-Michael Key, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard and Billy Eichner also star.The Lion Kingis in theaters July 19.
Melissa McCarthymight be going under the sea.
The 48-year-old actress is in talks to star as Ursula in Disney’s live-action remake ofThe Little Mermaid.Varietyfirst reported the news.
A rep for McCarthy did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Rob Marshall, who directedMary Poppins Returns, is taking on directing duties. Songs from the original 1989 animated film will be included in the live-action film, as well as new songs from Alan Menken andLin-Manuel Miranda.
Miranda, who rose to fame with his Broadway hitIn the HeightsandHamilton, is also a co-producer on the film.
The story centers on the mermaid Ariel who yearns to live among humans and finds her wish granted when she trades her voice for legs from the sea witch, Ursula.
Steve Granitz/WireImage; Disney
The original animated film featured the voice of Jodi Benson as Ariel. The film earned $84 million at the U.S. box office and $233 million worldwide.
Disney has released a string of live-action films based on their animated classics, such as the recentAladdin,Dumbo, The Jungle BookandCinderella.
The studio will releaseThe Lion Kingnext month which stars Donald Glover as Simba and Beyoncé as Nala.
James Earl Jones reprises his role as Mufasa. Seth Rogen, Keegan-Michael Key, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard and Billy Eichner also star.
The Lion Kingis in theaters July 19.
source: people.com
