Well, it turns out thatHarry Styleswon’t be going “under the sea” after all, as he has turned down the role of Prince Eric in Disney’s live-action remake ofThe Little Mermaid, Collider has confirmed.
Last month,Colliderand the Hollywood Reporter simultaneously broke the news that Styles was “in early talks” to tackle the role after missing out on the plum part of youngElvis PresleyinBaz Luhrmann’s upcoming Warner Bros. movie co-starringTom Hanks. Styles took a couple weeks to think it over, but ultimately, he was unable to reach a deal, and politely passed on the Disney project.
Halle Bailey, the young singer who represents half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle, remains set to star as Ariel, the rebellious mermaid daughter of King Triton who longs to live on dry land. Oscar winnerJavier Bardemis in talks to play King Triton, whileMelissa McCarthyis in talks to play the villainous Ursula.
Elsewhere,Jacob TremblayandAwkwafinaare nearing deals to play Ariel’s friends, Flounder and Scuttle, respectively. Another key role that has yet to be cast is Sebastian the crab, thoughHamiltoncreatorLin-Manuel Mirandais believed to be the frontrunner for the part, seeing as he’s producing the movie and already writing new songs withAlan Menken, the Oscar-winning composer behind the original 1989 animated film.
Rob Marshall(Mary Poppins Returns) is directingThe Little Mermaidremake as well as producing alongsideMarc Platt,John DeLucaand Miranda, and production is expected to start early next year. That gives them plenty of time to recast the role of Prince Eric, and according toTheWrap, they’re already close to naming Styles' replacement.
Styles is the former One Direction sensation who made his acting debut in 2017 as a young soldier inChristopher Nolan’s WWII movieDunkirk, though he has yet to settle on a follow-up project. I have heard that Warner Bros. is interested in him forGreg Berlanti’s upcoming remake ofLittle Shop of Horrors, though he’s facing stiff competition in the form ofDear Evan HansonstarBen Platt. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on that monstrous movie musical.
