Nearly four months after Disney announced Halle Bailey would play Ariel in the Little Mermaid live-action remake, Disney fans finally have their Prince Eric. Disney announced Tuesday that Jonah Hauer-King will play Prince Eric in the upcoming film.
https://twitter.com/willbehotsoon/status/1194432103963930625
Though relatively young and not very well-known, Hauer-King has already worked alongside some high-profile actors. The 24-year-old English actor worked with Danny Huston in the British drama The Last Photograph in 2017. More recently, Hauer-King starred in A Dog’s Way Home with Ashley Judd and Bryce Dallas Howard, and The Song of Names with Tim Roth and Clive Owen.
In addition to his acting chops, Hauer-King has quite the voice, which fans are excited to hear more of alongside Bailey. Clips of Hauer-King singing “Hallelujah” are circulating on Twitter, and the full video has over 15,000 views on YouTube.
https://twitter.com/nighztwing/status/1194428278137901056
Disney fans are sharing their excitement on Twitter, as many are thrilled with Disney’s casting choice. Twitter user @ifsbrighternow called Hauer-King “dreamy” and “very Prince Eric-like.” Some are predicting this role will kickstart Hauer-King’s career.
https://twitter.com/ifsbrighternow/status/1194431645161422848
https://twitter.com/JNicoleCo/status/1194463900693094400
https://twitter.com/shanafrc/status/1194580171510222853
https://twitter.com/vastofnight/status/1194431774790688774
But not everyone is thrilled over this announcement. The decision to cast Hauer-King came after talks with Harry Styles fell through, and some Harry Styles stans are still disappointed they won’t be seeing the former One Direction member as a Disney prince.
Harry Styles stans: https://t.co/EPnlkjBE1W pic.twitter.com/nU6nWdXryR
— Eric Wilson (@ihateericwilson) November 13, 2019
Much of the casting was announced in July, when controversy arose over the decision to cast Bailey as Ariel. Bailey has since responded to backlash and told Variety at the Power of Young Hollywood gala, “I just feel like this role was something bigger than me and greater and it’s going to be beautiful. I’m just so excited to be a part of it.”
As for the rest of the cast, Melissa McCarthy is set to play Ursula and Javier Bardem will play King Triton. Awkwafina will voice Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay will voice Flounder, and Daveed Diggs will voice Sebastian. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Disney is currently planning to start filming in early 2020.
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