Here's Why Fans Are Convinced Harry Styles Is Playing Prince Eric In 'The Little Mermaid'

The British royals better prepare, because there might be another Prince Harry very soon. Ever since Halle Bailey was announced as Disney's choice to play the Ariel in its live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, fans have been wondering who would play her love interest. In fact, the number of actors that fans have suggested for the role of Prince Eric might rival the amount of thingamabobs Ariel keeps in her collection. But one actor has stood out among the rest as a key contender, and now people are wondering: Will Harry Styles play Eric in The Little Mermaid? Fans are convinced that he's the next Disney prince.

Styles has been at the top of many lists of their dream actors to play the male lead in the film. After all, the pop star has been a longtime crush for many fans, so it makes sense that he'd be their number one pick to play a prince. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Styles is in early talks to play Eric, so that fantasy might come true.

If Styles does take on the role in The Little Mermaid, he'll be joining Bailey as lead actors who got their start as singers. Bailey gained recognition as part of the duo Chloe x Halle with her sister, and Styles hit it big time with the British boy band One Direction. Styles' band famously took a break 2015, and since then he has been paving his own solo career.

The Little Mermaid wouldn't be Styles' first acting role. In 2017 he starred in Christopher Nolan's award-winning World War II movie Dunkirk.

At the Dunkirk premiere, Styles told reporters that he could possibly possibly retire from acting after his role in the film. At the time, he said:

I feel very lucky to be a part of Dunkirk. I'd do this one again but it may be one and done. I'd do this one again. I really enjoyed this. I've peaked too soon! There's nowhere to go.

Styles' quote from the Dunkirk red carpet doesn't make the idea of him taking an acting role in The Little Mermaid seem too likely. But The Little Mermaid isn't just any movie. The Little Mermaid is a musical, which means it would give Styles the opportunity to show off his vocal chops alongside his acting skills.

The original 1988 animated classic didn't include any songs for Prince Eric, but that could be remedied for the remake, thanks to a new score courtesy of Broadway legend Lin-Manuel Miranda. Alongside the movie's original composer Alan Menken, Miranda is adding new songs to The Little Mermaid's iconic soundtrack. Miranda famously wrote the multiple award-winning musical Hamilton, so you know these songs are going to be good.

Although it hasn't been officially confirmed yet, fans on Twitter are already very excited about the prospect of Styles playing Prince Eric.

Styles had previously been one of the options to play Elvis in the upcoming biopic about the rockstar's life, but the role ended up going to Austin Butler. However, based on fan reactions, it seems like they'll be much happier seeing him play Prince Eric anyway.