In a move by Disney that is somehow simultaneously surprising and not so, Harry Styles is currently in talks to star as Ariel’s love interest Prince Eric in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
The singer is reportedly in early negotiations for the role. For those unfamiliar with Styles, he became famous for being a part of UK boy band One Direction before making it on his own as a solo artist. He has also dabbled in acting, having appeared in Christopher Nolan’s was epic Dunkirk.
If he accepts the part, Styles will star opposite R&B singer Halle Bailey as mermaid Ariel. The fact that the film is casting singers suggests that it’s looking to go big on the musical aspect of the original animated feature. Styles and Bailey both certainly have the lungs for it.
Styles joins a supporting cast made up of Jacob Tremlay (Room, Wonder) as Ariel’s fish friend Flounder, Awkwafina (Ocean’s 8, Crazy Rich Asians) as seagull Scuttle and Melissa McCarthy (Ghostbusters, Bridesmaids) as villain Ursula.
Disney’s original animated version of The Little Mermaid, which was released in 1989, follows the story of Ariel, a red-headed mermaid who wishes to be human after falling in love with Prince Eric. She makes a deal with Ursula the sea witch, and trades her voice for legs so that she can live on the shore. The film is loosely based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.
The live-action remake, which doesn’t yet have a release date, is being directed by Rob Marshall from a script by Jane Goldman and David Magee.
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