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Latest Disney News: Walt Disney’s descendant speaks out against DeSantis’ Florida as ‘Little Mermaid’ star reveals she saved the film from being accidentally risqué

Meanwhile, the company is doing everything in its power to save 'Elemental' from tanking at the box office.

Split screen of Ron DeSantis and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in The Little Mermaid
Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images, Disney

Although we wish the weekend had been kinder to Disney, the company, unfortunately, encountered news-breaking antisemitism and racism outside the entrance of Disney World on Saturday; it wasn’t long before one of Walt Disney’s very own descendants (yes, really) made a public statement condemning the situation on behalf of her grandfather — that’s how you know things are bad. 

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Thankfully, the icky news stops there as the latest Disney/Pixar short film has been announced ahead of the premiere of Elemental. And to top it off, a Little Mermaid star painted a hilarious image in our minds of an accidentally risqué scene that almost made it into the movie. 

Ron DeSantis’ Florida gets out of control with antisemitism and racism, causing a Disney heir to finally step in

Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

After widespread footage of neo-Nazis waving flags bearing the swastika at Disney World went viral, Walt Disney’s descendant Abigail Disney finally stepped in on Twitter saying, “My grandfather is spinning in his grave.” Indeed, it doesn’t get more incendiary than a literal heir of Disney rebuking your actions to the entire world. Sadly, the protests confirm what’s become increasingly evident during the House of Mouse’s ongoing public feud with Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis: these people are his supporters. 

A little too much shimmy shake almost resulted in a spicy Little Mermaid scene 

Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in 'The Little Mermaid'
Screengrab via Walt Disney Pictures

Now, Melissa McCarthy is not one to dial back the humor or the fun, but when it was time for the actress to perform Ursula’s signature shimmy in the “Poor Unfortunate Souls” musical number, she had to educate director Rob Marshall and producer John DeLuca on Newton’s Law of Motion. Or as she told them, “You can’t throw these things around in the same fashion,” she said, pointing to her chest. Indeed, the scene would have looked much different than the animated version if McCarthy had listened to DeLuca’s advice: “Really, just shake those shoulders as hard as you can.” Needless to say, we would’ve had a very different Disney movie on our hands. 

Woof woof! Disney and Pixar’s new short film is sure to restore your faith in humanity — and get you a ticket to Elemental

If Up didn’t rip your heart to shreds and mend it back together again, then Carl’s Date just might do the trick. Although the short film appears to be lighter on the heartbreak and heavier on the inspiration, there’s no doubt it will tug at the heartstrings all the same. Given the popularity of Up, it makes sense for Disney to premiere the short film ahead of Elementals since the movie is unfortunately predicted to catastrophically bomb at the box office. Here’s hoping Carl can soften that blow.