No Unfortunate Souls Here: Our Dream Cast For the Live-Action ‘Little Mermaid’
| 10/12/18
Under the sea is the place to be.
With the latest rumors swirling around (that's a water pun) that Lady Gaga is being considered to play Ursula the sea witch in the upcoming live-action reimagining of Disney's classic The Little Mermaid, that got us thinking about who else could sprout gills and take a dip under the sea. From merpeople to fishy friends, here are our top picks for the children's classic.
Zendaya as Ariel
One of the first casting rumors to be attached to the project and it's one that we hope sticks. Zendaya would bring a perfect balance of brazenness and sass to the rebellious teenage mermaid and definitely has the chops to make her version of "Part of Your World" a new Disney classic.
Jussie Smollett as Prince Eric
It doesn't get much dreamier than Jussie Smollett. The Empire actor is definitely someone you'd make a devilish deal and leave home for. Throw in a dog as cute as Max from the animated classic and he's already an 11.
Lady Gaga as Ursula
Just imagine the theatricality of a Gaga rendition of "Poor Unfortunate Souls." Now pile on a vengeful scheme to rule the ocean and a trashed royal wedding. We've already seen a thriving, villainous Gaga in American Horror Story, now give her that motivation again but with an excuse to sing.
Oscar Isaac as King Triton
Oscar Isaac straddles the line of dad and daddy better than almost anyone else in Hollywood. Sure, he could be Zendaya's disciplinary father that destroys all of her contraband collectibles, but he could also rock the hell out of a fish tail and some silver facial hair.
Michael Cera as Flounder
A stammering, loyal sidekick that knows how to get serious and tough when the time comes? The role was practically made for the ever-nerdy Cera.
Donald Glover as Sebastian
Glover got soulful with his Summer Pack release and it has us thinking he could put a spin on the crab's classic "Under the Sea" that balances a contemporary sound with an homage to the original Disney tune. We also want to hear him say flat out "the human world is a mess."
Bella & Gigi Hadid as Flotsam & Jetsam
This could go a couple ways. Either humanize (mermaidize?) the traditional eel roles of Ursula's trusted underlings and make them high-cheekboned, peer-pressuring mermaids that convince Ariel to meet with Ursula, or completely ug the sisters up and get some motion-tracking magic on board, glassy eyes and all.
Jason Sudeikis as Scuttle
Sudeikis could definitely embody the know-it-all-but-not-really seagull that constantly pulls made up words out of thin air to explain the most mundane of human items. "Yeah that's uh... snarflbat. Definitely a snarfblat."
Ariana Grande as Vanessa
Ursula's prince-stealing alter ego needs to be someone with alluring features and a mesmerizing voice. Though a high ponytail isn't a requirement, it's encouraged. Just let her sing her scheming song and transform into Lady Gaga while gazing into a mirror and we're on board.
