Harry Styles Turned Down A Role In Disney's 'Little Mermaid' Live-Action Remake

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It’s not often that we talk about actors turning down roles. Normally, by the time that an announcement or report surfaces about an actor being in discussions or negotiations for a role, it turns out to be true. Otherwise, nothing gets confirmed and we later find out that another actor has been cast in the role. But in the case of Harry Styles and the role of Prince Eric in “The Little Mermaid,” outside forces have made it so it’s important to know that he’s NOT going to be in the film.

Recently, in the flurry of casting announcements for “The Little Mermaid” live-action remake, it was reported that Harry Styles, of One Direction fame, was being courted for the role of Prince Eric in the film. Of course, as mentioned, when these reports surface, it’s almost always true and many ran with the news. However, according to The Wrap, Styles isn’t going to be in the film and turned down an offer to play the male lead in the project.

READ MORE: Javier Bardem In Talks To Play King Triton In ‘The Little Mermaid’ Remake

This denial came after two theater chains, AMC and Regal, ended up posting “breaking news” that Styles was confirmed to be in “The Little Mermaid.” Sure, if you’re a film fan, you shouldn’t rely on two theater chains to be the epitome of quality reporting, but they’re massive companies and you would think they’d fact check before publishing. However, that wasn’t the case and people ran with the story once again.

Alas, Styles, who debuted his skills as an actor in Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk,” is not going to be singing alongside fish and merpeople in “The Little Mermaid.” The report says that more casting announcements will be coming down the line in the following weeks. Of course, that will happen sooner rather than later because production on the Rob Marshall-directed film is expected to begin in early 2020.

Confirmed for the film are actors Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, Jacob Tremblay, and Awkwafina. Javier Bardem is in talks for a prominent role, as well.