- Melissa McCarthy told The Hollywood Reporter that she was "really nervous" to meet Javier Bardem.
- But, she said her nerves went away immediately once she did, because he's like a "warm hug."
Melissa McCarthy says she was "really nervous" to meet Javier Bardem, her co-star in Disney's new live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid" — but once she did, he was like a "walking warm hug."
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, McCarthy — who plays the sea witch Ursula in the film — said, "I was really nervous to meet him, but the nerves went away within two seconds. The second you meet Javier, he's like a walking warm hug."
McCarthy's role alongside Bardem — who plays Ariel's overprotective father King Triton — was her first time working with the iconic actor, though she told THR she had "dreamed of" crossing paths with him.
"I've always wanted to [work with Bardem], so this is quite a thrill for me," McCarthy told THR.
Bardem echoed McCarthy's sentiment, telling THR, "Working with Melissa is a joy and a gift."
"I had a moment where [Melissa] was delivering some pretty heavy lines and they made my spine [shiver]," Bardem added, according to THR. "I felt the energy."
Bardem and McCarthy also joked to THR about wanting to do a spinoff movie together about Ursula and Triton, who are siblings in the film.
But for now, you can see them in "The Little Mermaid," which hit theatres nationwide on Friday.