Little Mermaid director Rob Marshall has revealed that Harry Styles turned down the role of Prince Eric. In his upcoming live-adaptation film. After years of speculation, Disney confirmed the live-action remake of the 1989 classic.
However, the director is Rob and Halle Bailey as Princess Ariel. Fans quickly put the ‘As It Was’ singer firmly at the front of the queue to play Prince Eric. There was even a petition!
It would’ve made complete sense with Harry’s dashing good looks. His floppy dark hair and chiselled jawline. All he needs is a white shirt and blue trousers and calf-high boots (which I’m sure he already owns).
Here’s Why Harry Styles Turned Down the Role of Prince Eric
Harry Styles’ desire for “darker” roles reportedly stopped him from becoming Disney royalty.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly for a piece published Tuesday. The filmmaker Rob Marshall said that the “Watermelon Sugar” singer was an early choice for the part of Prince Eric in “The Little Mermaid,”. Also, Styles ended up passing on the live-action family film to pursue more dramatic projects.
“We met with him. He was lovely. What a wonderful guy,” Marshall said. “But at the end of the day. However, he felt like he wanted to go off and do the movies that he ended up doing, which were sort of darker.”
Another British actor, Jonah Hauer-King, eventually got the role of the prince in the highly anticipated remake. However, it is ready to come out on May 26. The film also features Halle Bailey as Ariel. Melissa McCarthy as Ursula and Javier Bardem as King Triton.
Speaking to The Face in 2019, Styles discussed his decision to pass on “The Little Mermaid”. At the time, he told the magazine that he wanted to “focus on [music] … for a while.”
Still, the One Direction alum said he’d be watching the film. He added that “everyone involved in it was amazing, so I think it’s going to be great.”
In the meantime, the “As It Was” crooner has taken several serious roles, appearing in the gay period drama. “My Policeman” and the psychological thriller “Don’t Worry Darling,” were both released in 2022.
While working on “Don’t Worry Darling,” Styles became embroiled in some serious off-screen drama.
His romance with director Olivia Wilde made headlines following her split with Jason Sudeikis, the father of her two children.
Live-Action Songs Will Be Updated to Show Prince Eric Wouldn’t ‘Force Himself’ on Ariel
Composer Alan Menken wrote the music for the original Little Mermaid movie. He said he and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda modified some of the songs’ lyrics for the live-action film. Because of their negative messaging, according to an interview with Vanity Fair published last week.
In “Kiss the Girl,” Ariel and Eric go on a romantic boat ride where Sebastian the crab encourages Eric to kiss the little mermaid. While in “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” Ariel makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to visit the humans on dry land.
Menken and Miranda were attached to write additional music when the live-action project was first announced in 2016. So, the composer detailed how Miranda, 43, joined the film by proclaiming himself a fan of Menken.
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