Now that Harry Styles has officially declined the role of Prince Eric in the live-action adaptation of ‘The Little Mermaid’, the studio is looking for a replacement. Rob Marshall (‘Mary Poppins Returns’, ‘Into the Woods’) is directing, with the Academy Award-winning original music by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as new songs by Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Halle Bailey was announced as starring as Ariel in early July.
Deadline reports that Cameron Cuffe and Jonah Hauer-King have already tested for the part of Eric. These tests are reported to have taken place on Monday at London’s Pinewood Studios with Marshall present.
Cuffe starred as Seg-El for two seasons on Syfy’s ‘Krypton’, and previously recurred on the British TV series ‘The Halcyon’ as William Shannon. On the big screen, his first movie was ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’.
Hauer-King was recently seen in the movie ‘A Dog’s Way Home’. He will next be seen in the BBC One miniseries ‘World on Fire’, and has previously appeared in numerous British TV series and miniseries. He will be seen in the indie drama ‘Once Upon a Time in Staten Island’ with Naomi Watts and Frank Grillo.
Reports about the rest of the cast fluctuate. Melissa McCarthy was said to be in negotiations to play Ursula in July. Awkwafina and Jacob Tremblay were reported to have been cast as the voices of Scuttle and Flounder. Reports conflict as to whether the three of them have officially been cast. (Personally, I think Awkwafina and Tremblay probably have officially signed on. Not sure about McCarthy, as reaction to her potential casting wasn’t particularly positive.)
Javier Bardem was rumored to be in the running (or swimming) to play Ariel’s father, King Triton, but that has definitely not been confirmed one way or the other.
Check back for updates as they arrive! Who do you think should be cast to play Prince Eric?
