The dramatic evolution of Disney's most iconic sea witch
In short: Before she was the formidable Cecaelian we know today, Ursula was a much thinner, more regal creature. From Shakespearean inspirations to drag queen aesthetics, the character's transformation involved rejected starlets, rejected designs, and a last-minute scale increase inspired by a Hollywood thriller.
The Ursula seen in the 1989 film *The Little Mermaid* is a significant departure from Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 tale. In the original story, the sea witch is a nameless, 'disreputable' figure who acts more as a catalyst than a true antagonist. Disney's version, developed by Ron Clements and John Musker, transformed her into a villainous usurper determined to overthrow King Triton.
The character's visual identity underwent radical shifts during production. Early sketches by Glen Keane and others explored a tall, thin, regal figure inspired by manta rays, scorpion fish, and even spinefish. At one point, animators even considered giving her a shark's tail. The final design, created by Ruben A. Aquino, settled on an octopus-based body with six tentacles—a reduction from an original eight for financial reasons. This look drew heavily from the aesthetic of American actor and drag queen Divine, incorporating signature eye makeup and jewelry.
Casting the role was a year-long struggle. While lyricist Howard Ashman initially favored soap opera star Joan Collins, and directors wrote the part with Bea Arthur in mind, both declined. After Broadway veteran Elaine Stritch was dismissed following creative disagreements with Ashman, Pat Carroll was hired. Carroll famously anchored her performance in a blend of Shakespearean actresses and car salespeople, creating a voice that became synonymous with the character.
Even the character's physical scale was subject to late-stage changes. While Clements and Musker originally intended for Ursula to remain her original size, executive Jeffrey Katzenberg requested a 'bigger' ending, inspired by his recent viewing of the 1988 film *Die Hard*. This led to the climactic moment where Ursula grows to a massive size during her battle with Ariel and Prince Eric.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Ursula (The Little Mermaid)
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