The Little Mermaid (Live-Action)

[Musical Master]

Actually, Lady Gaga's acting and singing in A Star is Born was one of the many great things about that movie (with the music and Bradley Cooper's great nomination worthy performance being other highlights), but I will agree that Gaga could be very much miscast as Ursula. Then again, she could be considered for a different role.

[Sotiris]

Peter Sciretta, owner and editor-in-chief of Slashfilm is debunking the Lady Gaga rumor.

Peter Sciretta: Nope, Lady Gaga is not being eyed for Ursula in Disney’s live-action Little Mermaid. The film isn’t even casting. Stupid rumors, bad sources, please don’t run this shit.

Skyler Shuler: All we simply said is Gaga is high on the studios wishlist. I personally heard that from two different sources who have been correct before, so yes we ran it as a rumor and the article states *we are sharing as a rumor and nothing more*

Peter Sciretta: You also said you contacted the studio to confirm a casting wishlist story. That's ridiculous.

Skyler Shuler: Yes, and they didn’t comment, and I learned they won't comment on that stuff. I’m not afraid to admit I’m still learning or admit if I’m wrong.

Source: https://twitter.com/Skylerhxc/status/10 ... 3608414208


Skyler Shuler, owner and editor-in-chief of The DisInsider is backpedaling after the backlash.

Skyler Shuler: My report never said she was cast. Only that she was on a wishlist.

Q: What does “casting is not underway” mean exactly? They aren’t officially casting the movie yet? I thought they were for some reason.

Skyler Shuler: Film is still in development, but the studio is eyeing people...doesn’t necessarily mean they are actively casting.

Source: https://twitter.com/Skylerhxc/status/10 ... 1193474048

We never said Gaga was cast as Ursula, we never said she was offered or even has interest in the role which your report states. All we reported was she is high on a wishlist...PERIOD.

Source: https://twitter.com/TheDisInsider/statu ... 8182757376

We simply reported a rumor we heard, not a casting we want.

Source: https://twitter.com/TheDisInsider/statu ... 9282651137

[JeanGreyForever]

If it's to be believed that the film isn't even casting yet, that would debunk the Zendaya rumors as well.

[Sotiris]

If it's to be believed that the film isn't even casting yet, that would debunk the Zendaya rumors as well.

Well, Disney has denied any casting rumors.

Disney has confirmed to Nerdist casting is not underway for this film–which still doesn’t have a director or principal star–so no, Gaga has not been cast as Ursula and the rumor is just that, a rumor.

Source: https://nerdist.com/lady-gaga-ursula-th ... exclusive/

[Disney Duster]

I thought it did have a director. Rob Marshall.

[ChrisLyne]

I've not seen A Star is Born but a lot of the early reviews raved about Gaga and she can definitely sing. I've also not seen AHS so I really can't comment either way on her suitability for the part. She doesn't look the part to me but diet, makeup and prosthetics can go a long way, just look at Bale in Vice. But that would require her to be willing to put her body through that and very few actors do what Bale does.

Personally I've always hoped they'd go the drag route with Ursula (after all, she was inspired by Divine).

Ariel just needs to be an unknown. She has to have the most amazing voice, you can't stunt cast that with a celebrity name unless they're prepared to dub the singing. They need to find another Jodie Benson or Sierra Boggess.

[Disney Duster]

Was Bette Midler ever considered to be the original Ursula? Whether she was or not, what about her as Ursula this time?

[Disney's Divinity]

The only people I can remember being considered are Charlotte Rae, Elaine Stritch, Bea Arthur (they considered her; she never considered them), Roseanne Barr, Joan Collins (although I'm not sure if they considered her or if all I'm remembering is they based the character in part on hers in Dynasty). Someone may know more.

Perhaps they didn't consider Midler for the original film because she had just worked on Oliver & Company as Georgette?

[Disney Duster]

Wow, thanks for the comprehensive answer! If anyone has any other info, (including if Joan Collins really was considered), please let us know!

Oh, I forgot that you were the one who first thought of the idea of Bette Midler as Ursula, Divinity. I guess I subconsiously forgot. Obviously you think she would be great, and a lot of people here agreed. I just re-read the posts. I really hope she does end up being chosen.

[Sotiris]

As we speak, Atwood is between live action Disney reboots. Perhaps. Having just completed duties on Tim Burton’s Dumbo, in which the titular pachyderm befriends Colin Farrell, she is currently attached to Disney’s reconfiguration of The Little Mermaid.

“For the moment, The Little Mermaid is a twinkle in someone’s eye,” she says. “It’s so far out from starting production that I don’t really know what will happen. It would be a special challenge. The Little Mermaid, the Hans Christian Andersen version, is quite a story and very different from the cartoon. I don’t know where they’re going to go with it. But it could be interesting. I actually have dressed a mermaid. I made a fantastic costume for a lovely Scottish actor called Sharon Rooney for Dumbo. But she’s more of a circus mermaid.”

Source: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film ... -1.3689704

Q: Fandango: Lastly, before I let you go, are you still working on the Little Mermaid movie? Is that next for you after this?

Rob Marshall: That's percolating right now. I'm starting to see if I can find my way into the film. It's a complicated film to do as a live-action film, so we're working on it right now. We'll see. I'm hoping I can find my way in and find exciting ways to bring that to the screen.

Source: https://www.fandango.com/movie-news/int ... ins-753506

[JeanGreyForever]

If they can make Aquaman, then they can make The Little Mermaid. I hope Rob Marshall will be attached to this film though because I trust him with movie musicals, although with his involvement, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Meryl Streep are all but confirmed.

[Disney Duster]

Yes, Aquaman's trailer me think "The Little Mermaid live-action is possible!" I would also like Rob Marshall to make it. Colleen Atwood for costumes, too!

[Disney's Divinity]

I’m not excited by Marshall as a choice considering I didn’t like Nine, On Stranger Tides, Into the Woods, Chicago, or the 1999 version of Annie. Who knows how MPR will turn out. The only silver lining about his involvement is that he might cast Angela Lansbury somehow, perhaps as the Carlotta character or a character who fills a similar role to her, considering he worked with her on MPR and Mrs. Santa Claus (which I've never seen, unfortunately).

[D82]

with his involvement, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Meryl Streep are all but confirmed.

What character would Meryl play? Ursula, perhaps?

[supertalies]

I don't really see her as Ursula, to be honest, unless it's a totally different take from the animated version. Then it might work.

She could work as a Carlotta-esque character though? Or maybe they'll stay closer to the original fairy tale and let her play Ariel's grandmother.

That is: IF she's even in the movie in the first place.

[Disney's Divinity]

Meryl Streep as Ursula wouldn't be one of my first picks, but I'm sure she'd do a good job.

I wondered, too, if they might give Ariel a grandmother here like the tale. I wouldn't mind that even if she's not necessary considering the Disney film put more of a spotlight on the father-daughter relationship. At least it would add another benevolent female figure to the story. They could begin the film with child Ariel being told tales by the grandmother of mermaids' interaction with the surface and the world above back before contact with humans was forbidden by Triton.

[Sotiris]

I don't really see her as Ursula, to be honest.

I don't disagree with you. I just thought this was a great opportunity to use this gif.

They could begin the film with child Ariel being told tales by the grandmother of mermaids' interaction with the surface and the world above back before contact with humans was forbidden by Triton.

Not a bad idea considering the character was present in the original tale but I think including her would make the relationship dynamic too similar to that of Moana and her grandma. Granted, the benevolent grandma trope is present in Mulan and Pocahontas too but with the whole ocean theme most people would associate it with Moana.

I'd actually prefer if they showed us Ariel's mom. Perhaps in the prologue or in a flashback sequence. Jodi Benson could play her! I wouldn't mind if they borrowed that element from Ariel's Beginning though I understand some fans wouldn't like anything lifted from a DTV movie.

[JeanGreyForever]

What character would Meryl play? Ursula, perhaps?

Yeah, Ursula like others have suggested. Especially after seeing her as the Witch in Into the Woods

She could work as a Carlotta-esque character though? Or maybe they'll stay closer to the original fairy tale and let her play Ariel's grandmother..

I can't see her in such a minor role. Even if they boosted Carlotta's role by replacing Grimsby with her, I really doubt she'd still be that prominent of a character.

I wondered, too, if they might give Ariel a grandmother here like the tale. I wouldn't mind that even if she's not necessary considering the Disney film put more of a spotlight on the father-daughter relationship. At least it would add another benevolent female figure to the story. They could begin the film with child Ariel being told tales by the grandmother of mermaids' interaction with the surface and the world above back before contact with humans was forbidden by Triton.

I was considering the grandmother for her role as well. Disney's been reacting to recent criticism about dead mothers and unlike BATB, this is a movie they can remedy that, especially since Aladdin won't feature his mother either.

I'd actually prefer if they showed us Ariel's mom. Perhaps in the prologue or in a flashback sequence. Jodi Benson could play her! I wouldn't mind if they borrowed that element from Ariel's Beginning though I understand some fans wouldn't like anything lifted from a DTV movie.

I'd rather see Jodi Benson as Carlotta. In fact, I think there's fanart out there of Jodi Benson as Carlotta. I don't think Ariel's mother is really necessary to see in this film and not only would it be hearkening back to that awful prequel movie, but it would carry too many shades of the live-action BATB for my taste.

[Disney Duster]

I don't think Meryl Streep is a given. She was only in two Rob Marshall films. I can't see them adding the grandmother as I feel she would get in the way of the story, someone who Ariel abandons or what would she do in the climax? I wouldn't mind seeing Ariel's mother in a prologue or flashbacks if done right...i.e. Cinderella.

[Sotiris]

I hope this sort of nonsense won't result in the song being omitted from the remake.

‘Little Mermaid’ song labeled ‘misogynistic’ is dropped by Princeton a cappella group
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/ ... 96625.html

Princeton group won’t sing Disney song after being accused of promoting ‘toxic masculinity’
https://www.nj.com/education/2018/12/pr ... inity.html