Why Harry Styles Turned Down The Role Of Prince Eric.

Editor Stephen Hill  07/04/23

Pop prince Harry Styles was asked to take a leading role in Disney’s new live-action musical film The Little Mermaid.

 Looking back on the casting process, the film's director, Rob Marshall, revealed he did have a conversation with the singer about taking on the part - but it was actually Harry who turned down the role. 

'We met with him. He was lovely. What a gentleman,' Marshall told EW in an interview about the Watermelon Sugar singer. 

'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 theorised that Harry also wanted to move away from being typecast in musical role, given his hugely successful career as a pop star. 

'For a lot of young musical people like Harry, you're trying to carve your way and you don't want to be seen as a singer, necessarily,' Marshall explained.  

'That’s why he was really looking to do something not in the musical genre, to really stretch himself,' Marshall added. 

'It was really a fun idea to play with, but in the end, I always think things happen for a reason. I’m so happy to have two young, new people in the film.

'  Harry of course, went on to star in those 'darker' films such as Don’t Worry Darling and My Policeman. 

Meanwhile, when Harry was asked about the casting back in 2019, he had a similar response. 'It was dis­cussed,' Harry told the Face. 

'I want to put music out and focus on that for a while. 

But every­one involved in it was amaz­ing, so I think it’s going to be great.'  The role of Prince Eric ultimately went to British actor Jonah Hauer-King, whom Marshall was impressed by during his audition process.  

'I’m always looking for the person who’s deeply connected to a part,' Marshall said. '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.'  So, we may not get to hear Styles belt Fathoms Below this time - but we're hoping we still get to see him in a musical soon. Disney, you know what to do!