Remember when we used to get casting news in one big info dump? Those were the days. Now, we just get the casting trickling out over the course of weeks and then before you know it, we’ve been talking about the latest Disney film like we’re suddenly a ‘Little Mermaid’ fansite. But I digress.
That being said, in today’s “The Little Mermaid” news, actor Javier Bardem is the latest to be in talks to join the upcoming live-action remake from director Rob Marshall, according to Deadline. Bardem is being looked at for the role of King Triton, the father of the title character. In the film, Triton is the stern father that doesn’t want his daughter to forgo her life as a princess under the sea to go chasing the human man of her dreams.
Bardem is a busy, busy man, as of late. In addition to this high-profile gig, the actor is currently in production on one of 2020’s most-anticipated films, Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune.” Earlier this year, the actor was also seen in the film with Penelope Cruz, titled “Everybody Knows.” If he signs on, this won’t be the first big-budget Disney film for Bardem. Previously, he starred as the villain in the recent “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.” (Remember that?) He’s also got a big TV miniseries lined up, titled “Cortés,” produced by Steven Spielberg and written/created by “Schindler’s List” scribe Steven Zaillian.
The cast for “The Little Mermaid” is growing fairly steadily. Most recently, it was announced that Disney is negotiating with Harry Styles to be Prince Eric. He’ll join the already-announced cast of Halle Bailey as Ariel, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Awkwafina as Scuttle, and Jacob Tremblay as Flounder.
Production is expected to begin in early 2020 for a 2021 release date.
