Halle Bailey from The Little Mermaid teases Melissa McCarthy as Ursula

As excitement builds for Halle Bailey’s impending arrival The little mermaidthe star teased a picture of Melissa McCarthy as the villainous Ursula.

The live-action remake of the classic Disney film sparked debate across the internet after fanatics complained about the casting of a black woman in the role of a fictional mermaid. Amid the hate, however, there has been widespread support for the cast, which also includes Jacob Tremblay and Art Malik, as well as rumors of a spot for Lin-Manuel Miranda naming his son after the film’s crab, Sebastian.

When Disney released the first trailer featuring a segment of Bailey singing “Part of Your World,” we were also treated to Ursula’s cackle – leaving fans choking on more.

Ursula has long been a camp legend in the gay community, and Melissa McCarthy’s portrayal of the sea witch who causes Ariel to give up her voice is highly anticipated. And it seems fans aren’t the only ones excited about the comedian’s on-screen presence.

At the Kids’ Choice Awards, Bailey told ET, “People are going to love their job so much [playing] Ursula. First of all she is a beautiful human being, so talented and the way she just consumes Ursula is so beautiful. I’m so proud of her and can’t wait for people to see it.”

As McCarthy appropriated the role, Bailey added, “She has this kind of maternal trickery when it comes to tricking Ariel in the film, so I have to be consumed in her world and.” [fall under] her magic. It wasn’t so mean, mean. It was like [Ariel] looking for a mother figure.”

Melissa McCarthy has been coy about her experience filming the role, but has occasionally offered a glimpse of what’s to come.

“It was an absolute blast,” she said ellen in 2020. “The entry into the world of Rob Marshall [the director] is like a fever dream.”

And further See what’s happening live with Andy CohenShe said, “I just do it like I’m a variety nightclub act that lives in my heart.”

It sounds like her performance of Ursula’s hit “Poor Unfortunate Souls” will be an experience. At The Kelly Clarkson Show, She admitted she was “scared to death” as she recorded her big solo. “When we finally recorded it and they said, ‘That’s it, you got your song,’ I burst into tears,” she added.

The little mermaid scheduled to open in the UK on May 26.