According to the film’s director, Harry Styles turned down the part of Prince Eric in the live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid”. Because he wanted to do “darker” roles.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Rob Marshall revealed that he met with Styles to talk the possibility of casting him for the part. But the “As It Was” singer declined.
“We met with him. He was lovely. What a wonderful guy,” Marshall said of Styles in his interview with Entertainment Weekly published on Tuesday.
“But at the end of the day, he really felt like he wanted to go off and do the movies that he ended up doing.
Which were sort of darker,” Marshall added.
Marshall added that “young musical people” like Styles. Moreover who are making inroads into the movie industry. Often do not want to be viewed as just singers.
“That’s why he was looking to do something outside of music to really stretch himself,” Marshall told Entertainment Weekly. “It was a really fun idea to play with. But I always believe that things happen for a reason.”
Harry Styles stated in a 2019 interview with The Face that he turned down a part in “The Little Mermaid”. Because he wants to “put music out and focus on that for a while,” but added that he will “enjoy watching” the film when it is released.
In 2022, Styles appeared in two films: the psychological drama “Don’t Worry Darling,” co-starring Chris Pine and Florence Pugh. And “My Policeman,” co-starring David Dawson and Emma Corrin.
Jonah Hauer-King, who portrayed Laurie Lawrence in the 2017 TV adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” and Lucas in the 2019 family adventure film “A Dog’s Way Home,” will play Prince Eric instead.
In addition Ariel will be played by Halle Bailey, a singer-songwriter.