Melissa McCarthy says she was “really nervous” to meet Javier Bardem, her co-star in Disney’s upcoming live-action rendition of “The Little Mermaid,”  but once she did, he was like a “walking warm hug.”

McCarthy, who portrays the sea witch Ursula in the film, told The Hollywood Reporter, “I was really nervous to meet him, but the nerves went away within two seconds.” Javier is like a warm embrace the moment you meet him.”

McCarthy’s collaboration with Bardem, who plays Ariel’s overprotective father, King Triton, was her first, but she told THR she had “dreamed of” working with him.

“I’ve always wished to [work with Bardem], so this is quite exciting for me,” McCarthy told THR.

Bardem concurred with McCarthy’s assessment, telling THR that “working with Melissa is a joy and a gift.”

According to THR, “I had a moment where [Melissa] was delivering some pretty heavy lines, and they made my spine shiver,” Bardem remarked. “I felt the energy.”

Bardem and McCarthy also joked to THR about making a sequel about the film’s siblings, Ursula and Triton.

For the time being, you can see them in “The Little Mermaid,” which opens in theaters nationwide on Friday.