The Little Mermaid director says Harry Styles rejected live-action remake for darker, non-musical roles
Harry Styles turned down The Little Mermaid because he wanted to make "darker" movies.
The Don't Worry Darling actor was tipped to play Prince Eric in the live-action remake of the classic fairytale but ultimately stepped away from it because he thought the project didn't fit his career plans.
Marshall told Entertainment Weekly: “We met with him. 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.”
Styles went on to make two R-rated features in 2022: Don't Worry Darling with Florence Pugh, and My Policeman with Emma Corrin and David Dawson.
The Oscar-winning Chicago director wasn't surprised by Styles' decision to explore darker, more grown-up material.
"For a lot of young musical people like Harry, you're trying to carve your way and you don't wanna be seen as a singer, necessarily," said Marshall. "That's why he was really looking to do something not in the musical genre, to really stretch himself. 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."
Instead, Jonah Hauer-King was chosen for the role because of the "sweetness" and "deep passion" the director was looking for, though there were three other people up for the part.
Hauer-King, known for his role in The Little Women, recalled his final audition with Halle Bailey, who plays the lead role of Ariel, and their easy bond.
The British actor said: "I didn't take her being kind to me as any indication. I just assumed she was a lovely person and would've done that for anyone."
But Hauer-King was then left "traumatised" after overthinking Bailey's kindness when she knocked on his trailer door to wish him luck and express her hope of seeing him again.
He said: "I thought, 'What does it all mean? Is that an indication? Did she knock on everyone's door?'"
But it was a genuine gesture and the pair grew very close during filming.
Hauer-King added: "We became very, very close friends — and still are."
Meanwhile, Marshall and his partner, producer John DeLuca, were thrilled to be approached by Disney to work on the movie and the director promised fans are in for a "very emotional" ride.
He said: "It's a very emotional story.
"We were able to take the beauty of what's there in the original film and the Hans Christian Andersen tale and really bring more depth."
The Little Mermaid opens in cinemas on May 25. Don't Worry Darling is now on HBO Go.
— BANG SHOWBIZ
Photos: TPG News/Click Photos
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