Harry Styles will not be playing Prince Eric in the live action/CGI adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
Fans were abuzz Tuesday when unverified Twitter account @TheDisInsider – billed as the “exclusive daily source of Disney news” – claimed the former One Direction singer had signed on to the role.
Although it quickly started trending, the report was quickly shot down. Industry sites The Wrap and Variety both said Styles was not, in fact, cast.
“The studio has already begun looking at others for the part and, according t sources, a decision should come shortly,” reported Variety. According to The Wrap, "Styles is a fan of the project but respectfully declined."
It was revealed last month that Styles was being considered as Prince Eric.
The Little Mermaid remake is set to be directed by Rob Marshall and will star Halle Bailey as Ariel, Awkwafina as Scuttle, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula and Canada’s Jacob Tremblay as Flounder.
Disney’s animated version of The Little Mermaid was released in 1989. It was based on the 1837 fairy tale by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.