Harry Styles Rejected Prince Eric Role In Disney's Live-action "The Little Mermaid"

For a month, the grapevine has been abuzz with rumors that singer Harry Styles, the ex member of UK boyband One Direction's, was in the conversation to star Prince Eric in the Disney's upcoming live-action The Little Mermaid. However, according to the report, the singer has "respectfully declined" the role though he is "a fan of the project". 

Earlier, Regal Cinemas and AMC which informed on Twitter that Harry Styles joined the cast had to delete their post after the news came out.

The Hollywood Reported previously disclosed that the singer discussed the role with Disney alongside Halle Bailey who will play the role of Ariel.

Joined the cast also have Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina, Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy. 

Today Variety also confirmed that the One Direction singer "respectfully declined" the role while Disney is eyeing for another actor to replace him.

The live-action remake of The Little Mermaid will be directed by the director of Mary Poppins Returns, Rob Marshall. The film will be remade from the classic animated version in 1989 by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. Besides the original song, there will be new songs written and produced by Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The principal photography is expected to start in 2020 with official casting updates would be announced next week.

The Little Mermaid is based on Hans Christian Andersen's Danish fairy tale which later became one of Disney's animated hits.

Harry Styles made his acting debut in Hollywood in Dunkirk directed by Christopher Nolan. The singer was also up for the role of legend Elvis Presley but it ultimately went to actor Austin Butler.