For most of The Little Mermaid’s pre and post-production, we were left in the dark as to what to expect from director Rob Marshall’s stab at the live-action remake of the beloved classic. We didn’t get a teaser trailer (if you can call it that) until Sept. 2022. The official trailer didn’t drop until six months later in March. But from then on, the hype train has been full steam ahead, with said steam scheduled to billow into full form this Friday.
Thanks to several clips and TV spots along the way, we now have a well-rounded picture of what to expect. Early reviews are calling Halle Bailey’s performance as Ariel the film’s saving grace, but according to Bailey’s on-screen father, it’s Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula who we truly have to watch out for.
While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Javier Bardem and McCarthy took turns praising each other, with Bardem claiming the 52-year-old actress’ performance made his “spine shiver.”
“But I had a moment where [Melissa] was delivering some pretty heavy lines and they made my spine [shiver]. I felt the energy.”
Bardem, who McCarthy calls a “walking warm hug,” said he was sad to have only one day of filming together but is hoping a potential spinoff could change that.
“So I didn’t see her Ursula until that moment, but I knew then that she had created a unique and iconic Ursula in this movie. She’s brought everything that you can ask for and imagine. So I need an Ursula spinoff, and since our characters are siblings, I want to have one scene with her while having dinner.”
King Triton and Ursula’s blood relation was noticeably absent from the 1989 animated movie, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Given that Marshall has admitted to being open to a The Little Mermaid extended universe, it is not far-fetched to assume there is a place for the spinoff at the House of Mouse. It just depends on how well the live-action remake does. Opening weekend box office predictions say it is on track to become one of the top four highest-grossing films of 2023. With any luck, it’ll join the live-action Aladdin in the billion-dollar club (just don’t tell Aladdin actor Mena Massoud who threw some massive shade at the remake ahead of its premiere).
If we are so lucky as to get an Ursula spinoff, let’s all just collectively cross our fingers that the sea witch’s makeup gets its own necessary makeover. The Little Mermaid dives into theaters around the world on May 26.
