6 Apr – To all Harry Styles stans who are unhappy that the singer didn't play Prince Eric in the live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid" as they would like to, director Rob Marshall wants you to know that he did approach the former One Direction member. In a recent interview with EW, the filmmaker stated that the team met with Styles after listening to fans' wishes. "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," he said. It is noted that Styles went on to film the Olivia Wilde directorial effort, "Don't Worry Darling", as well as the Emma Corrin-starrer, "My Policeman".
Marshall stated that he understood Styles' choices, as the British singer probably wanted to go in a different direction as an actor, rather than the easy route of a musical. "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," he added. The movie soon found their Prince Eric in actor Jonah Hauer-King, with Marshall singing full praises of the actor. "I'm always looking for the person who's deeply connected to a part. 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," he said. "The Little Mermaid" is set to be released on 26 May, with Halle Bailey playing the titular role of Ariel.