Disney’sThe Little Mermaiddirector Rob Marshall recently revealed why pop music star Harry Styles was not cast as Ariel’s famous Prince Eric.
Disney’s live-action musical remake of the beloved 1989 animated classic drops this May, with Grammy-nominated Halle Bailey as the famous mermaid longing for legs andMelissa McCarthy as the villainous sea witch Ursula. Styles, who began as a member of the group One Direction and has gone on to fame as a solo act, may be an obvious choice for one of the most coveted roles at Disney these days, but it wasn’t meant to be.
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In an interview withEntertainment Weekly, Marshall admits that Styles was among their top choices for the role but explained, “We met with him. He was lovely. What a wonderful guy…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.” Those darker films include thehorror sci-fi thrillerDon’t Worry Darling, where he stars opposite Florence Pugh as the seemingly perfect 1950s husband in a sinister, secretive community, a role which has garnered praise for both stars. Other projects include 2022’sMy Policeman, a romantic drama with David Dawson and Emma Corrin.
“That’s why he was really looking to do something not in the musical genre, to really stretch himself. It was really a fun idea to play with, but in the end, I always think things happen for a reason,” Marshall added. “I’m so happy to have two young, new people in the film.” Also a relative newcomer to the big screen,Ariel actress Bailey comes from a primarily musical background, performing previously with her sister as the R&B duo Chloe x Halle.
The Prince Eric role ultimately went to British newcomer Jonah Hauer-King, known for his work in PBS’s mini-series adaptation ofLittle Women. Marshall praised Hauer-King’s version of Prince Eric, saying that when he auditioned, “The words come off the page [and] all of a sudden they’re in his mouth, and it sounds true and real. You believe the person."
The role will undoubtedly be an important one for the actor and a path to other projects, musical and non-musical. Still,The Little Mermaidis regarded as a classic, so whether Hauer-King and the other cast members can live up to audiences' expectations remains to be seen.
The Little Mermaidopens in theaters on May 26th, 2023.
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